Dun & Bradstreet India (D&B India) reinforces its commitment towards servicing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with the launch of its cluster-based publication series, SME Cluster Series 2009, brought to you in strategic association with IBM. We are pleased to launch the fourth publication in this series, SME Cluster Series 2009: Mumbai. Our future editions will cover two other important clusters in line with this geographical-area based study.

India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. The country recorded a GDP growth of 8.7% (CAGR) during FY05-FY09. The government recognises that to sustain the current economic progress, the industrial and services sectors need to record broad based, robust growth, and that this growth will be unachievable without the support of the SME segment.

The SME segment has drawn the attention of several government institutions, corporate bodies and banks, and is perceived as an agent of economic transformation and growth. SMEs play a significant role in the development of the economy and also ensure regional balance. SMEs employ about 42 mn people and contribute around 45% to India’s manufacturing output.

The current publication, SME Cluster Series 2009: Mumbai, attempts to highlight the operational characteristics, information technology aspects, issues and challenges and growth prospects of SMEs operating in the chemical, pharmaceutical and textile sectors in Mumbai.

SME Cluster Series 2009: Mumbai upholds D&B’s heritage of providing information and knowledge that facilitate informed business decisions. D&B has drawn on its time-tested expertise in providing business information to the benefit of small and medium companies, as this publication amply reflects.

I hope you enjoy reading the SME Cluster Series 2009: Mumbai, and look forward to receiving your suggestions.

Dr Manoj Vaish
President & CEO - India
Dun & Bradstreet