I am happy to launch the second volume of the Dun & Bradstreet publication series on small and medium enterprises, Emerging SMEs: Pune 2008. This publication will prove to be a valuable resource on SMEs located in Pune and nearby areas, as well as provide them a platform to reach out to potential clients. Dun & Bradstreet's global footprint and market reach will ensure that this publication series is established globally as the premier information resource on the SME segment.

The book covers SMEs in the engineering, food processing and the IT & ITeS-BPO sectors in Pune. While the engineering sector has always played an important role in the economic development of India, the IT & ITeS-BPO and food processing sectors have emerged as positive drivers of economic growth in the last few years.

Given the robust outlook for the engineering, food processing and IT & ITeS-BPO sectors, the scope and role for SMEs has magnified manifold so as to prove their competitiveness at the global level. Global spending on the IT & ITeS-BPO sector reached US$ 1.5 trillion in 2006, recording a growth of 7.7%, y-o-y, driven by global economic growth and positive business earnings. This would provide major boost to the IT & ITeS-BPO sector in India. Opportunities also look strong for the food processing sector, given that India is the largest producer of milk in the world with production of 91 mn tonnes, second largest producer of fruits & vegetables with 150 mn tonnes and the third largest producer of food grains and fish. Through this publication, D&B has sought to profile the emerging SMEs in these segments in the Pune cluster.

The cluster approach, in particular, has proved efficient in terms of gaining credit facility, risk sharing, policy and institutional development and technical & marketing assistance. Globally, as well as in India, SMEs have used the cluster based approach to garner support through collective bargaining power, governmental policy, regulatory and institutional reforms, capacity building and initiatives for supporting efficient SME financing and business development services. The overall climate has transitioned for SMEs to graduate not just from small to medium, but also from the national to the global arena.

Dun & Bradstreet shall endeavour to continue meeting your high expectations of Emerging SMEs: Pune 2008. I look forward to receiving your feedback and suggestions.

David J. Emery
President
International Partnerships & Asia – Pacific