Financial Assistance through the Marketing Support

The Marketing Support (MSF) Fund is a funding facility available from PITIC NZ to Forum Island Countries (FICs) only. The maximum grant per application is NZ$2,000. It is a condition that assistance under the Fund will be made available on a cost-sharing basis as far as possible.

What does the MSF Fund offer?

The MSF Fund offers assistance primarily to small enterprises wishing to explore export and investment marketing opportunities in New Zealand. Whilst the emphasis under the facility is export and investment marketing, there is flexibility to cater for the special needs and circumstances of Small Island States given their limited capacity to undertake sustainable exporting and investment opportunities. 

The MSF Fund focussing on investment (for trade components please refer to the Trade Section of this website), offers assistance in four components:

* Market Research – advertising, contacts, statistics


* Exploration Visits – cost of most direct route economy airfare to the FICs


* Exhibition Participation - investment seminars, workshops in NZ


* Research and Development - marketing plans, feasibility studies, business plans, websites

Criteria for Application

Any registered business or private organisation resident in a FIC meeting the following criteria is eligible to apply. The enterprise must:
• Produce both price and quality competitive goods and services;
• Have made initial attempts to explore export marketing opportunities in NZ;
• Have adequate equity for the proposed investment;
• Documents relating to the ownership/leasing of land regarding the investment;

The MSF Fund is aimed primarily at those enterprises whose access to funds for market development activity is limited.

This Fund is also available to NZ investors to facilitate their investment in a FIC. Under the section to undertake an “Exploration Visit”, assistance will be granted only to NZ investors who clearly demonstrate their commitment.

Conditions of Assistance

The assistance granted under the Fund is based on the following conditions:
• Grants must be used within the time frame specified;
• Grants will be made available on a cost sharing basis;
• Assistance will be provided on a reimbursement basis on production of original receipts of expenditure and a report on the results and impacts of the assignment undertaken;
• Only in special circumstances will assistance be provided on an up front basis. The applicant must justify this request to the Trade Commissioner in writing;
• Assistance provided is not transferable;
• Commitments will only be recognised if they are in writing and with appropriate authority;
• Retrospective claims will not be accepted at any time.

How to Apply

All applications are to be made in writing and addressed to the Trade Commissioner giving details on the following points. Your application should be brief and concise and no more than 2 pages in length. An application form is available here, which includes the following categories:

i) Title of project
ii) Applicant details
iii) Background and description of project
iv) Objectives – what does the project seek to achieve
v) Benefits/justification
vi) Time Schedule
vii) Costs

Post, fax or email your completed application to:

Mr Chris Cocker
Trade Commissioner
Pacific Islands Trade & Investment Commission
Post: PO Box 774, Auckland 1001, New Zealand
Fax: (64-9) 377 6642
Email: chrisc@pitic.org.nz OR info@pitic.org.nz

Applications will be appraised according to the above criteria and conditions. The final decision to approve an application rests with the Trade Commissioner. Decisions are ordinarily notified within two weeks of receipt of a complete application.