MSME Centre of Excellence Celebrates First Anniversary

The Cliff News | 26 August 2026

The Centre of Excellence (CoE) for MSME, operating out of the State Bank Academy in Gurugram, has successfully completed its first year of operations. To commemorate this milestone, the CoE organized a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing India's Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) ecosystem.

These efforts are focused on critical areas such as capacity building, fostering research and innovation, and promoting extensive collaboration among stakeholders. The anniversary event saw the presence of key figures from the State Bank of India, including Rajesh Kumar, Deputy Managing Director, Retail – Agri & SME; Shrirang Ketkar, Chief General Manager Credit Review Department; and Satyabrata Mohapatra, Chief General Manager & Head, Strategic Training Unit (STU) Corporate Centre, Mumbai.

Strengthening the MSME Ecosystem

During the event, Anirudh Kumar Choudhary, General Manager & Director of the State Bank Academy, emphasized the Centre's pivotal role in cultivating a knowledge-driven and collaborative environment for MSMEs. This underscores the CoE's commitment to becoming a central hub for MSME development and support.

A significant development during the celebrations was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the International Management Institute (IMI), New Delhi, and the Centre of Excellence for MSME. This partnership is designed to facilitate knowledge exchange, encourage joint research endeavors, and bolster capacity-building programs tailored for the MSME sector.

Addressing the Credit Gap

The anniversary program also featured a high-level panel discussion titled “Meeting the Credit Gap in MSMEs: Frictionless Lending and Public Tech Platforms”. The discussion centered on leveraging technology-driven and data-informed strategies to improve access to credit for MSMEs, a crucial challenge for the sector's growth.

The distinguished panel comprised experts from various leading institutions, including representatives from the Ministry of MSME, Bain & Company, the National Institute for MSME, IMI New Delhi, the Federation of Indian MSMEs, SBI, and EY. Their collective insights aimed to chart a path towards more accessible and efficient credit solutions.

Expanding Outreach and Knowledge Creation

Further reinforcing its commitment to knowledge creation and broader engagement, the CoE officially unveiled its dedicated website. Additionally, the Centre announced the launch of a Discussion Paper Competition and an SME Quiz for bankers, initiatives aimed at stimulating intellectual discourse and enhancing expertise within the banking fraternity concerning MSMEs.

Established on August 20, 2025, the Centre of Excellence has rapidly evolved into a vital platform for MSME capacity development, research, industry engagement, and stakeholder collaboration. Its first anniversary signifies a crucial milestone in its mission to empower MSMEs, champion innovation, and contribute to a more robust, resilient, and globally competitive Indian MSME sector.