Incoming Buyer Program (IBP) — Manitoba

Insider Tip

Apply before the buyer arrives — retroactive applications are not accepted and the program is first-come, first-served within the fiscal year (2025/26 intake closed mid-year). The buyer must be a genuine decision-maker at a distribution or import company (not a consultant or agent on a fixed-fee basis). All expenses must be paid by the applicant company directly — not a parent company or third party. Stack with the Manitoba Export Development Program (EDP) if the same buyer relationship leads to trade show or outbound travel in the same fiscal year. CanExport SME at the federal level provides a complementary but different benefit for international marketing expenses.

Success Profile

Manitoba-based manufacturer or product/service exporter with annual revenues between $500K and $20M, at least one established international trade lead, and a specific buyer (importer, distributor, or dealer) who has expressed interest in visiting. Companies in food processing, agribusiness, manufacturing, technology, and specialty products are typical applicants. Strongest applications show a defined business purpose for the visit (e.g., product demo, supplier agreement negotiation) and a credible buyer with decision-making authority.

Evaluation Criteria

Non-competitive reimbursement program — eligibility review only, no merit scoring. Manitoba Trade verifies: company eligibility (size, revenue, Manitoba presence, registration), buyer eligibility (international, for-profit, decision-maker, first visit), expense documentation (original receipts, paid by applicant), and that total government assistance does not exceed 50% of project costs. First-come, first-served within annual budget.

Application Steps

Required Documents 7

Eligible Expenses 2

• Economy airfare for the international buyer (must be paid by the applicant company)
• Local accommodations in Manitoba for the buyer during the visit

Ineligible Expenses 8

• Direct cash payments or travel allowances paid to the buyer
• Business class or first class airfare upgrades
• Meals, entertainment, or hospitality costs
• Activities related to service training, warranty negotiations, or machinery servicing
• Costs paid by a parent company, associated company, or third party on behalf of the applicant
• Visits by buyers who have previously visited Manitoba in relation to this company
• Expenses for domestic Canadian buyers
• Accommodation or airfare for applicant company employees

Intake Periods

Annual fiscal year intake (April 1 – March 31). Applications accepted beginning January 1 for the following fiscal year. 2025/26 intake closed. 2026/27 intake now open.

Deadline Notes

2025/26 intake is now closed. The 2026/27 fiscal year intake is open (covering April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027). Applications accepted beginning January 1 for the following fiscal year. Apply before the buyer's visit — retroactive applications not accepted. Submit with supporting documents to [email protected].

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

• Non-profit organizations
• Government entities, Crown corporations, and municipalities
• Educational institutions
• Publicly traded companies
• External consultants or brokers acting as intermediaries
• Companies with annual sales below $30,000 or above $50,000,000
• Companies not permanently established in Manitoba
• Companies in tax arrears to Manitoba or in receivership

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

Low Risk

No post-award clawback provision — reimbursement is paid after expenses are incurred and receipts submitted. Risk is limited to audit of eligibility. If documentation is found to be fraudulent or the visit did not meet eligibility requirements, the grant may be recovered.