Dr Kalam unveils the SME handbook for entrepreneurs

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Former President, India recently unveiled a handbook for
entrepreneurs, an ICICI Bank initiative in association with CyberMedia to mark
the launch of SME CEOs Knowledge Series, a nation-wide program to equip SMEs
with skills and knowledge relevant to their sector.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kalam said, “This initiative will create larger
awareness among the SMEs spread across the country. The SME Handbook will be
handy in creation of new enterprises, enhancing the productivity of present SMEs,
reducing the sickness among SMEs and above all increasing the throughput
significantly.”

ICICI Bank has partnered CyberMedia to launch this program to empower the
CEOs of various SMEs by providing a platform for knowledge sharing and joint
learning. The forum will cover identified industrial clusters in 26 different
cities, offering an opportunity for the CEOs to interact with the experts in
various fields viz human resources, taxation, marketing, finance and
entrepreneurship. The experts include practicing professors from IIM Calcutta,
taxation experts from advisory firm Deloitte and bankers from ICICI Bank.

Dinesh Rai, Secretary, Ministry of Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises,
Govern­ment of India said, “The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
sees the contribution as well as the vast potential of Indian entrepreneurial
enter­prises. The government is making all efforts to strengthen MSMEs to enable
them to face competition in liberalized economy.”

Vijay Chandok, Global Head-SME Business, ICICI Bank said, “ICICI Bank's
initiative is the result of a continued dialogue with the SME community and
reflects our deep commitment to further the cause of entrepreneurship.”

(L-R) Pradeep Gupta, Chairman, CyberMedia; Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Former President, Government of India; K Ram Kumar, Group Head-HR, ICICI Bank at the launch