Technology Bureau for Small Enterprises

The Technology Bureau for Small Enterprises (TBSE) provides a platform where small enterprises can tap opportunities at the global level for acquisition of technology or establish business collaboration. Resulting from the joint initiative of the United Nations' Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) it represents, under one roof, synergy of technology and finance.

TBSE also receives partial funding from the Office of DC(SSI), Government of India.

The important features of TBSE services are :

• Offers a professionally managed system for technology and collaboration search.
• Helps in building up confidence between prospective partners.
• Lends a friendly hand in the intricate task of negotiations and matching of perceptions.
• Provides a gateway to global technology market through networking.
• Unique mechanism for arranging technology and finance.
• Takes up project appraisal and preparation of business plan.

The Bureau has a large computerised data base on technology options available from different countries. It gives the user updated information on sources of technologies and means of accessing them. Also background information on technology-seeking enterprises is maintained and made available to interested technology suppliers and collaborators.

It identifies business partners willing to collaborate, brings them face to face and extends support to tie up financial assistance and other requirements for transfer of technology and joint ventures. Collaborating partners are further assisted in drafting agreements, obtaining various approvals and preparation of business plans.

Depending on the cost of project, nature and quantum of assistance required, the Bureau undertakes financial syndication through SIDBI covering term loans, foreign currency, venture capital, lines of credit, equity assistance and on selective basis interest-free loan to meet initial expenditure in the pre-technology absorption stage.

The Bureau offers support to small enterprises for the export of technologies and the products manufactured by them through business tie-ups as a part of the package. To promote international cooperation amongst SMEs the Bureau organises overseas visits of business delegations.

It arranges consultancy services, visits of overseas experts for in-plant counselling: coordinates buyer-seller meets for specific product process technologies and represents the business interests of small enterprises in international events.

As on March 2001 the Bureau has receives 474 Nos. Technology Requests (TR) and 1087 Technology Offers (TO).