EXPORT DEVELOPMENT (X PLAN) SCHEMES

Guidelines for availing grant-in-aid under the scheme – “Printing of Promotional Brochures”
 
Introduction
This scheme proposes to assist exporters to print promotional brochures/folders on spices/spice products for distribution in the overseas markets. Assistance is limited to manufacturer-exporters whose products have been awarded with Spices Board Logo and/or Spice House Certificate or organic certificate holders.
 
Scale of Assistance

Assistance is granted to the tune of 50% of the cost of printing of promotional brochures subject to a maximum of Rs. 2 Lakhs for the plan period.
 
Export Obligation
Exporters who avail the assistance will have a commitment to the Board to fulfill obligation for export of spices/spice products worth 10 times of the amount of assistance availed under the scheme within a period of 5 years from the date of payment of the amount of assistance from the Board. This export obligation will be in addition to any other obligation for export in connection with other assistances received from the Board or other organizations. The beneficiary shall execute an undertaking in this regard. In case of failure to fulfill the export obligation, the amount of assistance granted by the Board has to be refunded with interest. The beneficiary-exporters are required to provide a Bank Guarantee to the Board for the amount of assistance till the export obligation is completed.
 
Application for assistance
Eligible exporters may apply to the Board in the prescribed format (Form A) addressed to the Director(Mktg). The following are required to be furnished to the Board for examination.
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Application in the prescribed format duly filled in and signed by the authorized signatory.
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Dummy of the promotional brochure.
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Quotation(s) for printing (indicating paper quality, number of colours, number of copies, language etc.) with cost for each items of work.
After processing the application, subject to the conditions of the scheme and availability of funds, the Board may issue ‘in principal approval’ to the applicant to proceed with the printing of brochures/folders.
The beneficiary may execute the proposal for printing only after obtaining approval from the Board. On completion of the printing, the beneficiary may apply in the prescribed format (Form B) to claim the assistance enclosing the specified documents.
Conditions:
1.
Printing of the promotional brochures should be done after obtaining prior ‘in-principle approval’ from the Board for sanction of assistance and the bills/vouchers on expenditure incurred after the date of the Board’s letter conveying such approval would only be admitted for consideration of payment of grant-in-aid.
2.
The paper used for printing the promotional brochure should be around 210 gsm or quality of paper accepted by the Expert Committee of the Board.
3.
Prominence in the write-up of brochure should be given to spices and spice products in case the exporter has items other than spices.
4.
The emblem of Spice House Certificate and/or Spices Board Logo should be printed in the brochure with proper importance along with other recognitions/certifications such as ISO/HACCP, etc., if any.
5.
Number of copies printed and the date of printing should be indicated in the last page of the brochure appropriately.
6.
Five copies of the printed brochure/folder should be forwarded along with the completion report for claiming the assistance.
7.
All payments in connection with printing of brochure should be made by crossed cheque/DD Bank transfer and all bills should be certified by a practicing Chartered Accountant.
8.
The beneficiary should provide a Bank Guarantee favoring the Board for the amount equivalent to the amount of grant-in-aid before release of payment from the Board which could be returned after the Board is satisfied that the exporter has completed the export obligation with the Board. In case of failure to fulfill the export obligation, the Board may invoke the Bank Guarantee and realize the amount without prior notice and in such case the beneficiary should pay applicable interest dues upon demand as desired by the Board.
9.
The beneficiary should avail financial assistance in respect of the case for which in principle approval has been approved by the Board within the respective financial year , ie, on or before 31st March of the year. The claim made after the close of the financial year may not be entertained unless specific approval is obtained.
10.
In the case of any dispute, the decision of the Chairman, Spices Board shall be final and binding on the beneficiary.