(1) Title

These rules shall be known as Rubber Board’s “Rules for providing Financial Assistance to Natural Rubber (NR)/Rubber wood Exporters for preparation of Brochures and Posters required for Trade Fair Participation”.    

(2) Objective

The broad objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to NR/Rubber wood exporters in building up capability in global marketing of NR and Rubber wood and thereby establishing India’s presence in international market on a regular basis.  Participation in trade fairs and exhibitions conducted in India and abroad helps in expanding the market for Indian NR and rubber wood.  Publicity materials of international standards are essential for meaningful participation in fairs.  The Board proposes to provide exporters financial assistance in this item of expenditure under the scheme.   The assistance will be available to the exporters who participate in trade fairs/exhibitions either along with the Board, or individually hire their own stalls in such fairs/exhibitions.   

(3) Eligibility

All exporters of Natural Rubber having registration for using Indian Natural Rubber Logo and a valid Registration – cum – Membership Certificate (RCMC) issued by the Rubber Board will be eligible for availing financial assistance under this scheme.  In the case of rubber wood exporters, RCMC issued by Capexil or an approved Export Promotion council and participated in trade fairs and exhibitions along with the Board or approved by the Board will be eligible to get financial assistance under this scheme. 
The exporters participating in any trade fair/exhibition along with the Board should share the stall for exhibiting their publicity materials.  Exporters who participate in domestic and international fairs/exhibitions without Board’s participation should have hired a stall to make them eligible for the assistance.
  
(4) Scheme period

The scheme is intended to operate during the 11th plan period.

(5) Definition
           
In these rules, unless the context otherwise means,

1. Board means Rubber Board constituted under the Rubber Act 1947
2. Chairman is the Chairman of the Rubber Board.
3. NR Exporters are those having registration for using Indian Natural Rubber Logo and a valid Registration – cum – Membership Certificate (RCMC) issued by the Rubber Board.
4. Rubber wood exporters are those having a valid Registration – cum – Membership Certificate (RCMC) issued by Capexil or an approved Export Promotion Council. 

 
(6) Financial Assistance
50% of the actual cost of printing subject to a maximum of Rs 50,000/- per year per exporter will be provided as financial assistance for printing of brochures and posters and other publicity materials required for participation in national as well as international trade fairs approved by the Board. 

(7) Standards of Brochures and Posters

The following are the standards prescribed for Brochures and Posters. 

 (i)Brochures

1. Size of the Brochure should be in a A 4 size or its nearest one as a folder or in a booklet form, but should be of international standard.
2. Paper used should be of good quality Foreign Art card of either 170 or 220  gsm or its higher qualities.
3. Language used should be of either English or any other foreign language.
4. Cover page should be laminated.
5. Brochure can either be a two folder or as multi folder with mechanical folding and creasing, or in a booklet form.
6. Pouches can also be provided with the brochure to insert pull outs and CDs. 

 (ii) Posters

1. Poster sizes shall preferably be of 21” x 30”, 18” x  24”, 84” x  24”, 48” x  36” or its nearest sizes.
2. Posters should be in multi colour and laminated.
3. Material used for poster should be of High Quality Vinyl Flex or Vinyl Stickers.   
4. Photos and pictures used in Posters should be of good quality and suit for exhibiting in international exhibitions. 
5. Content of the poster shall be either in English or any other foreign language. 

(8) Terms and Conditions

1. Proof of the Brochure and Poster proposed to print should be got approved by the Board prior to its final printing.
2. The exporter should maintain record showing the opening stock of printed materials, the numbers used in each exhibition and the balance stock.
3. An image of the Indian Natural Rubber Logo should be displayed on the cover page of the brochure. 
4. In the text portion of the brochure, an exclusive paragraph under the heading “Indian Natural Rubber Logo”  on the USPs of Logo certified products  and the Board’s attempt of branding  to ensure the quality of NR exported, in confirmation with Green Book/BIS standards is to be mentioned.  An image of the Logo needs to be displayed on the left/right side of this paragraph.   Clause (3) and (4) are applicable to NR exporters only.    
5.  An officer authorized by the Board should be allowed to inspect the  stock records of brochures and posters.  
6. The exporter should furnish an undertaking to the Board that the posters and brochures are prepared exclusively for the use of trade fair.  
7. Incentive will not be provided for the use of materials from existing stocks, in any trade fair. 
8. Claim for the financial assistance under the Scheme shall be submitted in the prescribed form along with supporting documents.   
9. Prescribed forms will be available from the Market Promotion Department, RRII Campus, Central Laboratory Buildings, Rubber Board P.O., Kottayam-686 009.
10. Supporting documents to be produced along with the prescribed application, in duplicate, are :
1. Original invoice of the printer or publisher or advertising company with their VAT Regn No, Telephone Nos and seal and signature.
2. Stamped receipt of the printer or publisher or advertising company acknowledging receipt of payment.
3. Copy of the work order placed or contract agreement for the work .
4. A stock certificate from the applicant showing the details of printed materials received and used in exhibitions.
5. An advance stamped receipt for the amount of financial assistance claimed from the Board.
6. Photograph of the stall with display of posters and brochures
7. A voucher copy of the brochure and  A 4 size print outs of the posters
8. Self attested details of NR/rubber wood exported during the last 3 years indicating quantity in MTs, value in Rs and country of export. 
11. If the exporter hired a stall and participated in an international/domestic exhibition/trade fair (without Board’s participation) the following documents should also be required.   
1. Documentary proof of hiring the stall such as original invoice/receipt of the rental charges paid.
2. Proof of to and fro travel conducted by the exporter for participation in the fair.   
12. All the documents attached with the application form should be attested by a Chartered Accountant or by a competent attesting authority such as Notary Public/Gazatted Officer/Bank Manager.
13. All payments by the claimant to the advertising agency/printer needs to be in A/c Payee cheque and the details of the same may be submitted.     
14. In case it is found that the financial assistance was availed on the basis of production of false documents the Board shall have the right to recover the entire amount paid with penal interest @ 24% p.a.
15. The Chairman Rubber Board will have discretionary powers to grant either in full or part or refuse the claim for financial assistance under the Scheme