The growing importance of Small and Medium Enterprises in the economy as a whole and External Trade in particular has prompted IIFT to establish a separate center for SME studies which can act as a catalyst to the internationalsiation of SME activities. The center has become operational from May, 2005. The Centre for SME Studies at IIFT provides continuous support to the SME sector by carrying out activities which can be broadly classified into conducting Training Programmes, provision of Business Intelligence services through a Databank and acting as a catalyst for Interfacing with other concerned and associated institutions.

There are various support and service institutions which are already working towards the promotion and development of the SME sector. As far as India is concerned, all such agencies are working for the SSI Sector. The Ministry of SSI has a tremendous challenge for the development of this sector which it is executing through the host of autonomous bodies and other Institutions. However, IIFT is approaching this challenge in the context of the IIFT’s more than four decades of experience in International business education, training and research. The model envisaged for the SME Centre reinforces IIFT’s basic philosophy of integrating research and training for the benefit of the SMEs with a special focus on Internationalisation of SMEs. This will be complementary to the current activities of other Institutions in this regard. The center plays a pivot role of knowledge partner in all its activities to provide and disseminate the latest developments affecting the sector.