SBI-Project UPTECH
Project Uptech of the State Bank of India has been operational since 1988. SBI has been the largest single lender to the small industry as well as small business among all the banks. In view of the imminent changes in the economic environment that were expected in the late eighties, the Bank decided to become more proactive in supporting the small industry sector. The Project Uptech came about as crystallisation and consolidation of different initiatives in the SBI. Project Uptech works through 14 Project Uptech cells in Local Head Offices of the bank. Most of them are manned by technically trained and experienced officers who perform the dual role of supporting the clients through studies, training and capacity building as well as supporting the operating departments in their various operational tasks connected with the SME sector. Project Uptech takes up clusters through an elaborate process that involves
· Assessment of industry concentration in a compact locale,
· Exposure of the Bank to the units located in the cluster,
· Possibility of making significant contribution through primarily technology oriented interventions and
· The prima facie response expected from the units in the cluster.
Some of usual steps in a project are:
· Detailed techno-economic studies at the level of units in the cluster,
· Sponsoring research and development for evolving/adapting a technological intervention,
· Conduct of numerous Seminars and Workshops for building awareness of the technical intervention,
· Facilitation of incorporation of the upgraded technology,
· Monitoring of progress and ensuring that the technology does result in significant benefit to the units.
Primary engagement is in SBI clients but presence and participation of both non-borrower industrial units as well as industry associations are encouraged in seminars, workshops and in other forms of dissemination forums. The project is expected to result in improved sales performance, cost reduction, quality improvement and productivity improvement of the units concerned and specific parameters indicating these are rigorously monitored.
Source: www.statebankofindia.com