On June 26, the ET Make in India SME Regional Summits made their fourth pitstop of 2025 in Thane. The Summits are India’s premier platform for connecting with the country's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at a hyperlocal level, bringing together enterprises, enablers, industry heavyweights, and policymakers. The outcome is targeted networking opportunities that recognise the unique strengths and challenges of industrial clusters.
With the theme ‘Thane means business: Manufacturing excellence, entrepreneurial drive’, this leg of the ET Make in India SME Regional Summit focussed on one of India's most strategically-positioned clusters. Thane benefits from its proximity to Mumbai, ports, airports, and the financial institutions that are crucial for MSME growth and export competitiveness. It also has a multi-sectoral industrial base spanning pharmaceutical, chemical, and engineering companies. According to data from the Udyam portal, this district is home to over 161,000 registered MSMEs
In the illuminating fireside chat, ‘Catalysing ‘Make in India' Growth: IDBI Bank's Strategic Imperatives for Empowering MSMEs’, the bank’s Executive Director Nagaraj Garla spoke about what his institution is trying to do differently in the MSME space. IDBI is the banking and lending partner for the ET Make in India SME Regional Summit across 20 cities this year, including Thane.
Legacy advantage
IDBI Bank brings something unique to MSME financing: a dual legacy that most banks don't have. With roots in development finance and a sharp focus on MSMEs, the bank isn't just lending money; it's channelling decades of understanding about what makes small businesses tick.
"MSMEs form the economic backbone of our country. Which is why we provide an environment of opportunities for them," Garla told the assembled entrepreneurs.
The bank's development finance heritage means it understands that MSMEs aren't just smaller versions of large corporations. They have different needs, challenges, and cash flow patterns. This understanding is translating into solutions that actually work for small businesses.
Digital-first, human-centred
Garla added that IDBI Bank isn't just digitising existing processes, but reimagining what banking can look like for MSMEs. Take its collection and payments mechanism, for instance.
“We have a sophisticated collection mechanism, where you virtually need not maintain any accounts registered," he said. This system captures all cash flows, tracks payments, and even sends automated SMS reminders to fee defaulters.
Think about what this means for a micro enterprise. Instead of maintaining complex records and chasing payments manually, the system handles everything automatically. The entrepreneur gets detailed Management Information System reports without the administrative headache. It's banking that adapts to the business, not the other way around.
AI that actually helps
While many banks talk about AI as a buzzword, IDBI Bank is using it to solve real problems. Its data analytics tools anticipate customer needs. As Garla revealed, "We use AI analytics tools to understand the behaviour of the customer.”
This isn't about pushing more products, but about approaching customers before they even realise they need financing. The system analyses patterns, identifies growth opportunities, and proactively offers solutions. It's like having a financial advisor who never sleeps.
The specialised touch
Most importantly, IDBI Bank recognises that MSMEs need more than just money. It runs training programmes for micro-entrepreneurs, offering everything from three-day bootcamps to week-long courses. IDBI has also partnered with the Entrepreneur Development Institute of India, where they're a major shareholder, supporting programmes that include startup incubation.
This is banking as ecosystem building: not just providing capital, but creating the infrastructure for small business success.
Nagaraj Garla also spoke about IDBI Bank’s dedicated MSME teams. These aren't generalist bankers trying to understand local business challenges, but specialists who speak the language of MSMEs, understand their seasonal patterns, and know how to structure solutions that actually work.
"If you have a separate team such as this, they will also know how to properly manage currency risks when it comes to exports," he noted.
The big picture
India’s economic transformation is more about mindset than it is about technology or processes. IDBI Bank’s approach to MSMEs is a reflection of this, Garla concluded at the ET Make in India SME Regional Summit- Thane. Its approach offers a glimpse of what banking could look like when it truly serves the small business community. It's not just about lending money, but about building the financial infrastructure that helps MSMEs thrive.
With the theme ‘Thane means business: Manufacturing excellence, entrepreneurial drive’, this leg of the ET Make in India SME Regional Summit focussed on one of India's most strategically-positioned clusters. Thane benefits from its proximity to Mumbai, ports, airports, and the financial institutions that are crucial for MSME growth and export competitiveness. It also has a multi-sectoral industrial base spanning pharmaceutical, chemical, and engineering companies. According to data from the Udyam portal, this district is home to over 161,000 registered MSMEs
In the illuminating fireside chat, ‘Catalysing ‘Make in India' Growth: IDBI Bank's Strategic Imperatives for Empowering MSMEs’, the bank’s Executive Director Nagaraj Garla spoke about what his institution is trying to do differently in the MSME space. IDBI is the banking and lending partner for the ET Make in India SME Regional Summit across 20 cities this year, including Thane.
IDBI Bank is revolutionising MSME financing at ET Make in India SME Regional Summits
At the ET Make in India SME Regional Summits, IDBI Bank is leading the charge in transforming MSME financing. With tailored financial solutions, simplified loan processes, and a strong focus on empowering small businesses, the bank is playing a pivotal role in accelerating MSME growth and strengthening India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
IDBI Bank brings something unique to MSME financing: a dual legacy that most banks don't have. With roots in development finance and a sharp focus on MSMEs, the bank isn't just lending money; it's channelling decades of understanding about what makes small businesses tick.
"MSMEs form the economic backbone of our country. Which is why we provide an environment of opportunities for them," Garla told the assembled entrepreneurs.
The bank's development finance heritage means it understands that MSMEs aren't just smaller versions of large corporations. They have different needs, challenges, and cash flow patterns. This understanding is translating into solutions that actually work for small businesses.
Digital-first, human-centred
Garla added that IDBI Bank isn't just digitising existing processes, but reimagining what banking can look like for MSMEs. Take its collection and payments mechanism, for instance.
“We have a sophisticated collection mechanism, where you virtually need not maintain any accounts registered," he said. This system captures all cash flows, tracks payments, and even sends automated SMS reminders to fee defaulters.
Think about what this means for a micro enterprise. Instead of maintaining complex records and chasing payments manually, the system handles everything automatically. The entrepreneur gets detailed Management Information System reports without the administrative headache. It's banking that adapts to the business, not the other way around.
AI that actually helps
While many banks talk about AI as a buzzword, IDBI Bank is using it to solve real problems. Its data analytics tools anticipate customer needs. As Garla revealed, "We use AI analytics tools to understand the behaviour of the customer.”
This isn't about pushing more products, but about approaching customers before they even realise they need financing. The system analyses patterns, identifies growth opportunities, and proactively offers solutions. It's like having a financial advisor who never sleeps.
The specialised touch
Most importantly, IDBI Bank recognises that MSMEs need more than just money. It runs training programmes for micro-entrepreneurs, offering everything from three-day bootcamps to week-long courses. IDBI has also partnered with the Entrepreneur Development Institute of India, where they're a major shareholder, supporting programmes that include startup incubation.
This is banking as ecosystem building: not just providing capital, but creating the infrastructure for small business success.
Nagaraj Garla also spoke about IDBI Bank’s dedicated MSME teams. These aren't generalist bankers trying to understand local business challenges, but specialists who speak the language of MSMEs, understand their seasonal patterns, and know how to structure solutions that actually work.
"If you have a separate team such as this, they will also know how to properly manage currency risks when it comes to exports," he noted.
The big picture
India’s economic transformation is more about mindset than it is about technology or processes. IDBI Bank’s approach to MSMEs is a reflection of this, Garla concluded at the ET Make in India SME Regional Summit- Thane. Its approach offers a glimpse of what banking could look like when it truly serves the small business community. It's not just about lending money, but about building the financial infrastructure that helps MSMEs thrive.
( Originally published on Jul 09, 2025 )
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IDBI Bank is revolutionising MSME financing at ET Make in India SME Regional Summits
(This article is generated and published by ET Spotlight team. You can get in touch with them on etspotlight@timesinternet.in)
