Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) - Sector Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS)

The Sector Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS) is a reimbursable cost-sharing grant that will pay for 80% of the costs incurred.  Organisations supported under SSAS include export councils, joint action groups, industry associations and those involved in the development of emerging exporters in order to provide support to companies to grow the export market for South African goods.

Note that you claim the grant only after you have paid for all expenses, so you will have to have the cash flow available to cover these costs.

The grant can cover export development and promotion costs, product and company development costs, service development, advertising and publicity.  Note that the development costs include consultancy fees and expenses towards installing or improving quality management systems. 

If the grant is used to perform research or industry studies or collect data, this will become the property of the DTI.

Sectors that qualify for funding application are:

• Aerospace.
  
• Rail and marine. 
  
• Agro-processing.
  
• Automotive.
  
• Business process outsourcing and offshoring.
  
• Capital equipment and allied services.
  
• Chemical allied industries. 
  
• Creative industries. 
  
• Electro-technical.
  
• Film production.
  
• Metals and allied industries.
  
• Communication and technology services. 
  
• Tourism services (excl. real estate agents, textiles and clothing).
  

Eligibility criteria

The business must be an organisation that provides support to emerging exporters with a strong emphasis on developing the base of previously disadvantaged business owners operating in the export industry.

Application process

The maximum grant per project is R1.5 million.  

Applications must be submitted two months prior to project commencement. It is important to read through the guidelines before submitting an application, as there are restrictions and processes that you will need to take into account. Please visit the DTI website to download application forms.