State Bank of India (SBI), the nation’s largest lender, today inaugurated its state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence (CoE) for MSMEs at the State Bank Academy (SBA) in Gurugram. This visionary initiative is dedicated to empowering India’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises through focused capacity building, pioneering research, and strategic industry collaboration, aiming to accelerate the sector’s global competitiveness and contribution to a developed India.
The Centre was inaugurated by Shri M. Nagaraju, Secretary, DFS, in the esteemed presence of Shri C.S. Setty, Chairman, SBI, Shri Vinay M. Tonse, MD (RB&O), and other senior dignitaries of the bank.
GM & Director, SBA, Shri C.B.K. Singh, extended a warm welcome to all the senior dignitaries and highlighted that the Centre of Excellence has been formed based on the idea and vision articulated by our Chairman. It would play a pivotal role in MSME development.
Shri M. Nagaraju, Secretary, DFS, in his inaugural address emphasized the pivotal role of MSMEs in national development. “MSMEs are the true engines of growth, creating widespread employment and driving prosperity in rural India, which is critical for our journey towards becoming a developed nation. I urge this SBI Centre of Excellence to benchmark itself against the best MSME institutions in the country. My expectation is that the CoE will engage in making case studies and undertaking research, creating a rich repository of knowledge and sharing it online for the benefit of all, especially those in remote areas. Continuous innovation and deep engagement with entrepreneurs, fintechs, and startups will be the key to its success.”
Shri C.S. Setty, Chairman of SBI, in his address highlighted the bank’s deep commitment to the MSME sector. “As the largest lender to MSMEs with the widest network of Relationship Managers and SME-dedicated branches, it is our responsibility to lead the charge in capacity building. The economic landscape is ever-changing, and so are the needs of MSMEs. This Centre of Excellence will not just be a training ground; it will be a vibrant hub for ideation and a think tank for developing innovative SME products and processes that will benefit the entire banking industry.”
The CoE has been built on an inclusive approach, for actively engaging with key stakeholders such as MSME promoters, startup founders, industry associations, academic bodies, government, regulators, and banking professionals. This multi-stakeholder model makes the centre’s initiatives relevant, impactful, and aligned with the evolving needs of the Indian economy.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Shri A.S. Paul, DMD (SME & SCF), stated, “We are immensely grateful to our esteemed dignitaries for inaugurating this landmark initiative and sharing their profound vision. We would definitely aspire to transform this Centre into a beacon of collaboration and knowledge, ensuring its benefits reach every corner of the country.”