Dun and Bradstreet to be 'Knowledge Partner' of UNCTAD-Empretec India Entrepreneurship Development Programme

International Business Facilitators (IBF), the host of the UNCTAD-Empretec programme in India, has empanelled Dun and Bradstreet as knowledge partner of the Empretec India Programme and its workshops, the Empretec India Training Workshops (ETW).

ETWs are the UNCTAD delivered and certified entrepreneurship development workshops that have inspired entrepreneurs in 32 countries to build innovative and internationally competitive SMEs.

Recently, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, endorsed the UNCTAD-Empretec India programme.

The Ministry said in a letter to Empretec India’s National Director, Mr Arnab Chakrabortty that it “…endorses the installation of the Empretec programme in India and supports its adoption by financial institutions and industry organisations/associations”. It also agreed to nominate officers to the Empretec entrepreneurship training workshops and to the Empretec India consultative committee process.

Mr Kaushal Sampat, President & CEO – India, Dun & Bradstreet, said, “Dun & Bradstreet is pleased to be associated as ‘Knowledge Partner’ of the UNCTAD – Empretec India entrepreneurship development programme. Over the years D&B has been working closely with SMEs in India in risk management and in helping build a credible international profile. Our association with IBF as Knowledge Partner for this prestigious programme is another pillar in our commitment to the SME sector in India”.

Mr Chakrabortty believes that IBF’s partnership with Dun and Bradstreet would help Empretec select the right entrepreneur-candidates for the by-invitation-only workshops, the principle component of the Empretec India programme. “We are launching our first ETWs in Switzerland and in India this summer. Jointly with D&B, we will select both aspiring and established entrepreneurs, some of who could go on to becoming UNCTAD-certified master trainers for the programme, and whose entrepreneurial journeys will inspire many others. Empretec graduates will also connect regionally and globally with other Empretecos in keeping with UNCTAD’s roster of good business linkage practices.

“Also, Geneva is keen to play the role of a clearing house for Empretec India’s business linkage platform, a key theme of which is to help internationalize Indian SME operations and connect them into global value chains. Following the Government of India’s interest in Empretec, we are looking to collaborate with banks and industry associations who may be eager to take advantage of both social and business benefits the programme offers -- for their clients, suppliers, agents and other entrepreneurs they work with, spreading an entrepreneurial culture across the country.”

Empretec India is working with the Government and industry to increase economic opportunities, productivity and growth. Though the crucial elements of reducing poverty are creating jobs, income-generating activities, and livelihoods for the poor, growth must encompass improving the access of small enterprises to finance, skills, technology, information, sound business practices, legal rights and markets.