The Bureau has a large computerised data base on technology options available from different countries.

It identifies business partners willing to collaborate, brings them face to face and extends support to tie up financial assistance and other requirements for transfer of technology and joint ventures. Collaborating partners are further assisted in drafting agreements, obtaining various approvals and preparation of business plans.

Depending on the cost of project, nature and quantum of assistance required, the Bureau undertakes financial syndication through SIDBI covering term loans, foreign currency venture capital, lines of credit; equity assistance and on selective basis interest-free loan to meet initial expenditure in the pre-technology absorption stage.

The Bureau offers support to small enterprises for the export of technologies and the products manufactured by them through business tie-ups as a part of the package. To promote international co-operation with SMEs the Bureau organises overseas visits of business delegations.

It arranges consultancy services, visits of overseas experts for in-plant counselling; co-ordinates buyer-seller meets for specific product / process technologies; and represents the business interests of small enterprises in international events. Also the Bureau can initiate partner search through Internet and other networks.

• Clients desirous of associating with the Bureau and availing its services may indicate their status [small scale or others], legal constitution, brief information on product line, latest financial position, working results and technology level as per proforma given on next page. Those planning to set up modern industrial enterprises may furnish an outline of the business proposal. Agencies engaged in promotion and development of small and medium enterprises and individuals who have set up companies/firms can also avail the services.
• Enterprises registered with the Bureau [members] will be entitled to obtain relevant information on technology options available in the industrial sectors of interest out of the broad groupings [given on next page] to strengthen their technology upgradation, diversification or expansion plans merely by quoting the registration number. Technologies for product/activities falling outside the list could also be scouted by the Bureau through its channels and networks.
• Companies/firms with definite business plan and identified product(s)/technology(ies) keen to commission specific search or promote their technologies or interested in business collaboration will be required to fill up prescribed forms [tech request/offer] which call for bare minimum information to facilitate quick search and match-making. These forms are available on request.
• Information relating to innovations regarding products and processes, current developments, forthcoming technology transfer events, opportunities and business contacts etc., will be available on an ongoing basis to the members. Technologies/services of international standards and with export potential will be promoted through special measures designed to have wide-reaching impact.
• In the event of a technology transfer deal materialising the Bureau will be compensated for the support extended by 1% of the transaction value. Towards this a simple one page MoU will be signed between the beneficiary enterprises and the Bureau. This would also apply to finance syndication services.
• To facilitate and provide coordinated support for member enterprises proposing to take up technology upgradation, modernisation, diversification, expansion or setting up new units by accessing latest technology the Bureau will syndicate financial assistance for implementation of the projects. Guidance will also be rendered in preparing bankable proposals so that lending institution could take a view on sanction of assistance, subject to norms, terms and conditions.
• The Bureau can also extend necessary consultancy support based on specific requirements to study the market, vet technology options and provide documented information to aid strategic planning for growth.

• Agriculture & Agroindustry
• Industrial Logistics & Services
• Chemical Industry
• Instrumentation, Measurement & Control
• Construction & Transport
• Machinery
• Electrical, Electronics, Information & Telecommunication Industry
• Materials, Coatings
• Energy
• Medicine, Pharmaceuticals
• Environment
• Metal & Metalworking Industry
• Food Industry
• Plastics and Rubber
• Paper, Wood, Textile

As of January 1999, the Bureau has

• attended to enquiries exceeding 2995 on wide range of industrial activities.
• developed a client base of 391 technology-conscious small enterprises
• initiated specific search for product/process technologies on behalf of 89 client enterprises.
• facilitated technology transfers from overseas companies (including those on joint ventures) and from within India.
• arranged technology export from India.
• entered into co-operation agreement with leading overseas agencies for exchange of technologies and delegations.
• has taken steps to co-ordinate the visits of technical experts under the Senior Experten Service (SES) of Germany.
• promoted Japan India Technology Network (JITNET) amongst SMEs in India.
• joined hands with Development Commissioner (SSI), GOI to launch a project SSI-SDTI.
• introduced a quarterly news-letter 'Small - Tech'.