TECHNOLOGY BUREAU FOR SMALL ENTERPRISES

Small enterprises constitute a vibrant and dynamic sector of the industrial economy of India. This sector has shown consistently good growth in terms of production, creation of additional employment and spectacular performance in exports, year after year. Its contribution to industrial growth and economic development of the country has been very significant. It encompasses both traditional industries (includes some of the prominent export intensive segments such as handicrafts, handlooms, carpets and gems and jewellery) and the modern small industries which uses latest appliances, machinery and technologies, and includes electronics, computer software, cotton/leather garments and accessories, auto components, food processing and machine tools and scientific instrumentation. Small in India is more than beautiful -- it is efficient, adaptible and adds value in economic and social spheres.

POISED for PARTNERSHIP

The post-liberalisation era in the Indian economy has enhanced the opportunities and challenges for the small industries sector. Moving away from the era of protection, the small industries have been steadily reorienting themselves to face the challenges posed by an increasingly competitive environment. In order to stabilise healthy development and to hasten the process of invigoration, the small enterprises, especially the modern ones, have been provided with the stimuli to improve productivity and competitive strength through enhanced flow of financial assistance and initiatives for technological upgradation, quality improvement and overseas collaboration.

Small enterprises in India, with their dynamism, flexibility and innovative drive are thus increasingly focusing on improved production methods, penetrative marketing strategies and modern scientific management capabilities to sustain and strengthen their operations. They are poised for global partnership and absorb latest technologies in diverse industrial fields.

THE BUREAU

The problems faced by the small enterprises particularly in accessing technology and maintaining competitiveness have been formidable. Lack of familiarity with new options, inability in accessing them, and organising necessary finance for growth are a few which need to be addressed through institutional support. Absence of a platform where small enterprises can tap opportunities at the global level for acquisition of technology or establish business collaboration has been compounding the problem. Technology Bureau for Small Enterprises is an endeavour to bridge the technology gap. Resulting from the collaboration between the United Nations' Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology APCTT) and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) it represents, under one roof, synergy of technology and finance. Its objectives, role and important features :

Offers a professionally managed system for partner search
Helps in building up confidence between prospective partners.
Lends a friendly hand in the intricate task of negotiations and matching of perceptions.
Provides a gateway to global technology market through Internet and other channels.
Unique mechanism for arranging technology and finance.
Renders customised service and wide ranging affiliations.
Takes up project appraisal and preparation of business plan.

THE CO - PROMOTERS

APCTT, a United Nations regional institution under the aegis of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Bangkok, assists member and associate member countries of ESCAP through strengthening their capabilities to develop, transfer, adapt and apply technology. It improves terms for transfer of technology and identifies and promotes the development and transfer of technologies relevant to the region. APCTT's activities are mainly directed towards the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The Centre maintains close and effective linkages with key sources and users of technology management, development, transfer and utilization. The centre handles more than 250 business to business introductions every month and has more than 1000 partners in about 70 countries.

SIDBI was established in April 1990 under an Act of the Indian Parliament to serve as the principal financial institution for promotion, financing and development of industry in the small scale sector and to co-ordinate with similar institutions engaged in promoting, financing or developing small scale sector. SIDBI has emerged as a major DFI in the world with cumulative commitments aggregating US $ 8.260 billion and disbursements to the tune of US $ 6.166 billion as of March 1997. In a study conducted by the Banker, London it was ranked 17th in terms of profit among top 50 DFIs of the world. SIDBI offers a wide range of assistance through its direct finance, refinance, bills finance, equity finance, venture capital, foreign currency loans, lines of credit and other schemes of assistance besides support services. It has set up the Technology Development and Modernisation Fund to encourage technology upgradation in small enterprises.

GUIDELINES ON PROCEDURE

HIGHLIGHTS

REGISTRATION FORM

PROJECT SSI - SDTI