SIDBI and Bengal Business Council Sign MoU To Strengthen MSME Support In West Bengal

Kolkata, Oct 08: The Small Industries Development Bank of India and Bengal Business Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate dedicated support and benefits for its MSME members, with a focus on access to finance, training, capacity building and business growth.

The partnership comes as SIDBI, under its DIA Programme, undertakes initiatives aimed at strengthening industry associations and enhancing their ability to support the MSME ecosystem. The MoU will create a structured platform for BBC members to engage directly with SIDBI and access relevant financing solutions, training programmes and guidance for business growth.

“Institutional strengthening of industry associations is critical for building a stronger and more responsive MSME ecosystem in West Bengal. Associations are not only important voices for industry but can also serve as effective platforms for connecting MSMEs with government schemes, finance, technology, markets and specialised business development services. Through the SIDBI DIA programme, our endeavour is to strengthen these institutions, enhance their service delivery capabilities and create stronger linkages between associations and the wider MSME ecosystem,” said Mr. Satadru Saha, Regional SPOC for West Bengal under the SIDBI DIA Programme.

Through the partnership, BBC’s MSME members will have access to SIDBI financing solutions at competitive rates, along with training and capacity-building opportunities. The collaboration will also facilitate guidance on scaling businesses, technology adoption, market access and expansion, as well as direct interaction with SIDBI and key MSME stakeholders.

“MSMEs are at the heart of Bengal’s entrepreneurial and economic landscape, but their growth often depends on access to the right financial, technological and institutional support. Our partnership with SIDBI will help bridge this gap by bringing relevant opportunities and expertise closer to our members. We see this MoU as an important step towards creating a stronger support system that enables MSMEs to grow, scale and compete more effectively,” said Mr. Avleo Roy, Governing Body Member and Director-Memberships & IT, Bengal Business Council,

The MoU was signed in the backdrop of SIDBI’s Learnshop on Institutional Strengthening of Industry Associations in West Bengal, organised under the DIA Programme and implemented by Grant Thornton Bharat LLP. The Learnshop brings together industry leaders, associations, MSMEs, technical and business service providers, government departments and other stakeholders to deliberate on strengthening institutional capacities and improving support services for MSMEs.

The programme focuses on key areas including institutional development, member services, capacity building, access to finance, technology adoption, market linkages, policy advocacy, sustainability and business development services. It also aims to encourage greater collaboration and knowledge exchange among industry associations and stakeholders, contributing towards a stronger and more responsive MSME ecosystem in West Bengal.

This partnership will enable BBC members to engage directly with SIDBI and other stakeholders, while creating opportunities for training, knowledge exchange and business development, further strengthening the role of industry associations in enabling MSME growth, competitiveness and employment generation in the state.