State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a Centre of Excellence for MSMEs at its Gurugram Academy to boost innovation, research, and industry collaboration. The initiative aims to empower small businesses with capacity building, digital adoption, and tailored financial solutions.
SBI Launches MSME Centre of Excellence in Gurugram
The State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for MSMEs at its State Bank Academy in Gurugram on August 20, 2025. This initiative aims to boost innovation, enhance capacity building, and strengthen collaboration across the micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) sector.
A Boost for MSME Growth
The inauguration ceremony was attended by M. Nagaraju, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), and C. S. Setty, Chairman of SBI, along with senior officials and industry representatives. Speaking at the event, leaders highlighted that MSMEs are the “engines of India’s growth” and critical to the country’s Viksit Bharat Vision.
The Centre is expected to serve as a hub of knowledge, research, and innovation, providing entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses with resources to compete more effectively.
Key Focus Areas
The MSME CoE follows a multi-stakeholder model, engaging policymakers, academia, startups, regulators, and financial institutions. Its objectives include:
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Training and Capacity Building for entrepreneurs and banking professionals.
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Research and Knowledge Sharing through case studies and policy frameworks.
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Industry Collaboration with fintechs and technology providers to drive digital adoption.
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Innovation Hub for creating new financial solutions tailored to MSMEs.
SBI’s Vision for MSMEs
As India’s largest MSME lender, SBI has long supported small businesses with financing. The new Centre marks a step beyond lending—focusing on insights, innovation, and collaboration to help MSMEs scale and remain competitive. According to C. S. Setty, the CoE will act as a launchpad for new ideas and strengthen India’s MSME ecosystem.
Conclusion
With MSMEs contributing significantly to employment and GDP, the launch of this Centre comes at a crucial time. By bridging policy, finance, technology, and innovation, SBI’s Gurugram Centre of Excellence is set to become a national benchmark for MSME development and a catalyst for India’s entrepreneurial growth.
