Services

Market Access Program (MAP)
 

Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership’s Market Access Program (MAP) is a program designed to support the domestic and international marketing efforts of STEP members. Funds are provided to assist STEP regular member companies in entering a new market or making a return visit (within 24 months of the initial visit) to a new market, outside of Saskatchewan. STEP Members, who qualify under the STEP Market Access Program (MAP) program eligibility and funding criteria, may submit up to three (3) funding applications to a maximum reimbursement of $8,000 per year. New market sectors within established geographical markets will be considered. Financial assistance may be provided to STEP Regular Members who are:

• exhibiting in a trade show, or trade event in a new export market outside of Saskatchewan

• participating and/or exhibiting in a STEP-led trade activity to a new export market

STEP MAP Application Guide

STEP MAP Application Form
STEP MAP Application Form - Fillable Format

STEP MAP Evaluation Form
STEP MAP Evaluation Form - Fillable Format

Premium Membership - Market Access Program (MAP)
 

Funding from the Market Access Program

• Are you interested in penetrating new markets?

• Are you looking to access a new customer base in a foreign nation?

• Would you like to make a follow-up visit to a market?

Who Qualifies?

Applicants must:

• Be a STEP Regular Member, in good standing, that produces an exportable product or service to markets outside of Saskatchewan, with at least 50% Saskatchewan content;
  
  The last substantial transformation of the goods occurred in Saskatchewan, and at least 50% of the total direct cost of producing or manufacturing the goods is sourced within Saskatchewan (labour and materials). 

• Be in full compliance with all government laws and regulations;

• Be currently an incorporated business, partnership or proprietorship based in Saskatchewan and must be a registered company (federally or provincially) for a minimum of two years.  Applicants may be asked to produce a copy of certificate of incorporation or other supporting documentation;

• Be able to potentially provide a written trade strategy or export marketing plan for their company;

• Be exhibiting in a trade show, or trade event in a new export market outside of Saskatchewan and/or; participating and/or exhibiting in a STEP-led trade activity to a new export market (For those applicants who are participating in a STEP led trade mission with a trade show component, but are not exhibiting in the trade show, maximum reimbursement will be 30%).
  
  For Premium Members – Activity can include new business development in current or prospective markets outside of trade shows.

Funding Details

Applications must be received no later than 45 days prior to the proposed visit to the trade show or trade event. The non-repayable contribution from MAP will not exceed 50% for an initial visit to a new market; and 30% for up to two (2) follow-up visits; or 30% for participating but not exhibiting in a STEP led mission with a trade show component; of approved eligible costs with a maximum of three (3) funded applications per fiscal year. (For Premium Members a maximum of four (4) funded applications per fiscal year.) The maximum contribution to any applicant in each fiscal year is $8,000 (For Premium Members the maximum contribution to any application is $10,000). Any individual funding application must have a minimum overall cost of $1,000.

Eligible Costs

The following are eligible costs for up to 50% reimbursement for a new market; or 30% reimbursement for return trips to a new market (within 24 months of the initial visit, where minimal or no sales have been made); or 30% for participating but not exhibiting in a STEP led mission with a trade show component:

• Return airfare from Saskatchewan for up to two representatives* (lowest form of economy) or mileage (based on the current provincial mileage rate) return trip from Saskatchewan to destination. Return airfare for flights that originate in destinations other than Saskatchewan will not be reimbursed.

• Accommodations for up to two representatives*.

• Ground transportation within the market of activity.

• Trade show booth space, virtual trade show exhibiting costs, trade show booth furnishings (carpet, electrical, power, wifi, display case and table and chairs only) and trade show registration fee. 

• Shipping of trade show booth.

• Translation of the company’s marketing materials such as brochures and product listings for the specific trade event described in the application.

• Cost of hiring an accredited interpreter for a target market. 

* Representatives must be full time employees of the company.

Meeting eligibility criteria does not imply automatic access to program assistance.

STEP Member - Program Testimonials

• 'MAP was very valuable to our company for helping with our strategy of expansion into new markets. Without it, we would not have been able to participate.'
  STEP Member - Agri-Value Sector
• 'It’s a great value for Saskatchewan businesses. The program encourages growth and promotion of the business outside the province. The program allows us return on initiatives we may have otherwise not pursued.'
  STEP Member - Agri-Value Sector
• 'Trade shows are an important part of our business efforts to maintain face-to-face contact with existing customers and recruit new clients. STEP’s Market Access Program provides the funding necessary to make exhibiting affordable so we can continue to maximize opportunities to retain and recruit customers.'
  STEP Member - Manufacturing Sector
• 'STEP has been very important in our strategy to access new markets through financial support and advice on cross border movement of goods.'
  STEP Member - Manufacturing Sector
• 'This is an excellent program and a great assistance in getting exposure in markets that we may otherwise not have undertaken.'
  STEP Member - Technology, Services & Resources Sector
• 'It is very important that Saskatchewan companies have a continued presence at major events. The STEP Market Access Program facilitates a cost effective way for companies to reach several global regions at one single venue.'
  STEP Member - Technology, Services & Resources Sector

For complete details relating to costs eligible under the MAP Program, qualification criteria, or to apply, please contact:
stepmap@sasktrade.sk.ca