BESO Kathmandu Conference

ISED has close cooperation with the BESO, UK, under which non-commercial business services are facilitated to micro, small and medium enterprises in any part of India. The BESO Conference for the year 2011 was held at Kathmandu, Nepal, where in the opportunities and constraints of delivery of BDS were discussed in detail. ISED was represented by P.M Mathew, who is also BRO for BESO.

Birla Foundation Project

The project sought to make a comparative study of SME Policy in India and the United Kingdom. The three-year project was facilitated by the Birla Foundation, New Delhi. Titled, ‘SME Policy in the 1990s: A Study of India and the United Kingdom’, it has come out as an ISED publication.

Club of Cairo Conference

Institute of International Education (IIE), New York, honoured ISED, under its IIE-PMI Global Leadership Initiative. ISED was selected as the Global Leader of Small Business Promotion, eligible for participation in the Global Leadership Conference held at Cairo, Egypt. This also marks the formation of the Club of Cairo, which is committed to promotion of small business. The Club of Cairo is a network of non-governmental institutions from 15 countries that have made remarkable contributions to the cause of development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Commonwealth-India Small Business Competitiveness Program, Bangalore.

Commonwealth-India Small Business Competitiveness Program is a bi-lateral program of Govt. of India and the Commonwealth Secretariat, London. Based on the collaboration between the Commonwealth Secretariat and ISED, the two institutions continued sharing of knowledge and experience. The International Conference held at Bangalore also witnessed the release of India MSME Report 2011. The event marked the participation of delegates from  fifty Commonwealth countries, besides dignitaries of the Government of India and the State of Karnataka.

Commonwealth-India Small Business Competitiveness Program, Cochin

Commonwealth-India Small Business Competitiveness Program is a bi-lateral program of Govt. of India and the Commonwealth Secretariat, London. Based on the collaboration between the Commonwealth Secretariat and ISED, the two institutions have acted upon sharing of knowledge and experience. The International Conference held at Cochin also witnessed the release of India MSME Report 2007. The Partners of the programme included, Coir Board and leading financial institutions of the country.

Commonwealth-India Small Business Competitiveness Program, New Delhi (2009).

Commonwealth-India Small Business Competitiveness Program is a bi-lateral program of Govt. of India and the Commonwealth Secretariat, London. Based on the collaboration between the Commonwealth Secretariat and ISED, the two institutions have acted upon sharing of knowledge and experience. The Partner institutions of the programme included, National Small Industries Corporation and leading financial institutions in the country.

Development Reporting on India's Small Industry

The ‘International Conference on Small and Medium Enterprises in the Asia-Pacific region’ was a significant platform for India to introspect on its capabilities and track relating to small and medium enterprises. The Conference organized jointly by ISED and the Cochin University of Science and Technology, on December 10, 1997, was marked by the active participation of scholars and practitioners from across the Asia-Pacific region. While the Conference appreciated India’s track record and credentials as also the diversity of its SME constituency, the need for a strong Development Reporting Programme was highlighted. The Conference also called upon ISED to come out with a Development Reporting series for the country. As per the resolution of the Conference, ISED drew up the outline of the first report in the series to be launched within the shortest possible time as a maiden initiative. Titled ‘The State of Small Enterprise Development in India 1997, the first issue of the report came out.

Global Consultation on MSMER 2021

The India MSME Report (MSMER) Project, among other things, is driven by the experience and wisdom of a consultative forum, operating at two levels, national and international. Two Focus Groups have been constituted in this regard. The International Focus Group consists of scholars and practitioners of eminence. The annual consultative forum deliberates on issues of topical relevance from time to time, so that these issues become the backbone and canvas of the national reporting initiative. The annual meeting of the Groups were held on February 5 and 6. 

Global Economic Conference, World Trade Centre, Mumbai

ISED and the All-India Association of Industries (AIAI) joined together to organize the ‘Global Economic Summit’ at the World Trade Centre, Mumbai. The landmark event witnessed the release of the India MSME Report. The Report was formally released by Mr. V. K. Singh, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, jointly with the Ministers in charge of MSME, at the Governments of Maharashtra and Odisha.  The Summit was notable for the participation of various State governments, Ministries of the Govt. of India, Diplomatic Missions and international organizations.

ILO-ISED Project on Return Migrants (2004)

The collaboration between ISED and ILO on this project was aimed at developing an Asian model of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Development. The project sought to design a strategic approach channelizing the remittances of return migrants into enterprises and entrepreneurial ventures. This project was based on the experience of the Kerala model of return migration, and was expected to lead to a pan-Asian policy approach by the ILO. The Report entitled ‘Enterprise Development for the Return Migrants’, carrying the findings and recommendations of the study, is available from www isedpublications.org.

Indo-Dutch SME Technology Project

This project relates to transfer of technology and technology co-operation in the SME sector. On behalf of the European Centre for Development Policy Management, Maastricht, ISED evaluated the multi-country program on technology transfer by the TOOL Foundation Amsterdam.

INSLED Foundation Meet

The International Network on SMEs in Local Economic Development – India (INSLED- India) is an international body incubated at ISED against the background of the ‘World Mayors’ Conference’ that was held at Cochin in the year 2005. Another landmark event at Cochin that preceded the Mayors’ Conference was the International Conference on Local Economic Development, organized in Cochin jointly by ISED and the International Labour Organization. While ‘INSLED-India’ is a non-profit organization incorporated in India, the ‘Cochin Declaration on SMEs in Local Economic Development’ signed by the Conference participants, visualize similar entities in other countries, which together can be members of an international confederation.

International Bamboo Conference

The International Bamboo Congress held at Bali, Indonesia, in 1995, was a major global initiative on identifying the potential of Cane and Bamboo as a non-timber forest product offering significant environment-friendly business and livelihood opportunities. The ISED - SIDBI Project on Bamboo Policy (1995) was showcased at the congress, jointly with the International Network on Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), New Delhi.  This study on the Indian experience formed the basis of the Multi-Country Project on Bamboo Production- to Consumption- Systems (PCS), initiated by INBAR in 1996.

International Conference on Local Economic Development and SMEs

Against the backdrop of the World Mayors’ Conference, held at Cochin in the year 2005, ISED organized and ‘International Conference on Local Economic Development and SMEs’ on December 5, 2005. The project was organized with the active support and participation of Union and State Governments, and the Cochin Municipal Corporation. The partners also included Ministry of SSI, Government of India, Industries and Commerce Department, Government of Kerala, NABARD, SIDBI, and the International Labour Organization. Delegates from 20 countries participated. A landmark of the event was the ‘Cochin Declaration on SMEs and Local Economic Development’.

International Conference on ‘SMEs at the Bottom of the Pyramid’

ISED considers substantial latent potential and opportunities relating to SMEs at the “Bottom of the Pyramid”. An International Conference on the theme was organized by the ISED, with the active support and participation of the Ministry of MSME, Government of India. The partners of the program included a number of institutions including NABARD, SIDBI, State Bank of India, several commercial banks, National Small Industries Corporation, and several Universities from India and abroad. Delegates from 13 countries participated in the Conference.

International Renewable Energy Conference

The South Asia Regional Initiative on Energy (SARI) at the USAID, and the ISED joined together on an international conference on Renewable Energy Entrepreneurship, held at Cochin. Delegates from 13 countries participated. The other national partners of the program were, the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources, Government of India, Ministry of Small-scale Industries, Khadi and Village Industries Commission. The other participants included leading development finance institutions and commercial banks of the country.
The findings of the ISED-USAID Asia Project on Renewable Energy Entrepreneurship were deliberated at the Global Conference held at Colombo on May 10, 2010. Dr. J.M.I. Sait, Senior fellow of the Institute, participated in the conference.

ISED Annual Small Enterprise Lecture-2003

ISED has been organizing the Annual Small Enterprise Lecture series since 1997. The purpose of the Lecture Series is to bring to light the latest in thinking on policy, and practice relating to SMEs and Entrepreneurship, on a global canvas. The Lecture for the year was delivered by Prof. Zoltan, J. Acs, Small Business Advisor to Former US President Bill Clinton, and Economic Advisor to the SBA.

ISED Annual Small Enterprise Lecture-2011

ISED has been organizing the Annual Small Enterprise Lecture series since 1997. The purpose of the Lecture Series is to bring to light the latest in thinking on policy, and practice relating to SMEs and Entrepreneurship, on a global canvas. Some of the early speakers in the series include, Prof. Zoltan, J. Acs, Small Business Advisor to Former US President Bill Clinton, and Economic Advisor to the SBA, and Prof. Pieter van Dijk of the International Institute of Social Studies, The Hague. The Lecture for the year was delivered by veteran journalist and writer, Mark Tully.

ISED Annual Small Enterprise Lecture.

ISED has been organizing the Annual Small Enterprise Lecture series since 1997. The purpose of the Lecture Series is to bring to light the latest in thinking on policy, and practice relating to SMEs and Entrepreneurship, on a global canvas. The Lecture for the year was delivered  by Prof. Pieter van Dijk of the International Institute of Social Studies, The Hague.

ISED Annual Small Enterprise Lecture..

ISED has been organizing the Annual Small Enterprise Lecture series since 1997. The purpose of the Lecture Series is to bring to light the latest in thinking on policy, and practice relating to SMEs and Entrepreneurship, on a global canvas. Some of the early speakers in the series include, Prof. Zoltan, J. Acs, Small Business Advisor to Former US President Bill Clinton, and Economic Advisor to the SBA, Veteran Journalist Mark Tully, and Prof. Pieter van Dijk of the International Institute of Social Studies, The Hague.

ISED at ESCAP Network

The United Nations ESCAP, based at Bangkok, has included ISED as a Member of its Global Network of SME Promotion Institutions.

ISED at UNCTAD / ITC Network

The UNCTID-ITC of the United Nations has included ISED as a Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) of the global network of 170 institutions. The mandate and function of the TPOs relate to promotion of trade from developing countries through various forms of intervention.

ISED at UNIDO INTIB Network

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), appreciating the contributions of ISED, selected the Institute as a Focal Point of the UNIDO Industrial and Technological Information Bureau (UNIDO-INTIB), based at Vienna. The UNIDO letter of June 5, 1997, identified the key areas of resource sharing and cooperation.

ISED Cochin University Project on SME Innovation

ISED, jointly with the Department of Applied Economics, Cochin University of Science and Technology, and the Development Research Institute, University of Tilburg, Netherlands, organized an International Conference on SME Innovation. The key speakers included experts from the University of Tilburg and the Indian Council of Social Science Research.

ISED-BESO Initiative on Business Development Services

BESO as an international body committed to extending business development services on a non-commercial basis makes a significant contribution to SME development across the world. Since it is a fact that such business services need to be tailored to the context of particular countries and regions, ISED, as BESO Representative for India, constantly attempts to make such a focus. BESO and ISED joined together to organize a Stakeholder Workshop on the subject at Cochin, that has opened up a window of opportunities that were hitherto unknown in the Indian context.

ISED-Bottom of the Pyramid Project (2007)

‘Opportunities at the Bottom of the Pyramid’ is a key concern of ISED. Based on the comparative experience in UK and India, ISED came out with an operational plan for the development of BOP enterprises in the urban context. Being part of the Chevening Program of the Foreign and Common wealth Office (FCO), UK, the study was deliberated at the Cheveners’ Conference at the Nottingham University Business School.

ISED-Chesham Municipality Collaboration

The Chesham Town Council in UK and the ISED have entered into an understanding of cooperation relating to knowledge sharing on local economic development. Mayor Mr. Roy Abraham visited ISED and had detailed discussions with the faculty and students on the subject. As an accredited business advisor to SMEs in the Borough, Roy was engaged in dealing with small businesses, helping them acquire management, financial and business skills. Elected in 1995, Roy served as a Councillor on Chesham Town & Chiltern District Councils and was Chesham Mayor in 2003/4

ISED-Cochin University International Conference on SMEs

ISED and the Cochin University of Science and Technology collaborated on the International Conference on ‘Asia-Pacific Development Experience and Imperatives of SMEs’. The participants included researchers and practitioners from 13 countries. The program was organized with the active support and participation of the Ministry of Small-scale Industries, Government of India and the Department of Industries and Commerce Government of Kerala. The program partners included, Royal Netherlands Embassy, New Delhi, DFID, (UK) and leading development finance institutions and commercial banks in the country.

ISED-Cranfield University Collaborative Initiative

‘Micro privatization’ is a new trend in enterprise development in India since the ‘Economic Reforms’ programme of 1990s. This phenomenon has important implications for the prospects of micro, small and medium enterprises in the country. Malcom Harper of the Cranfield Business School, UK, based on his extensive research experience and advisory role in India, joined ISED to bring out a publication on the subject with focus on the Indian experience. The joint publication by, Malcom Harper, P.M. Mathew and P.P. Pillai, entitled, Micro Privatisation in India has come out as an ISED publication.

ISED-Durham University Business School International Conference

ISED and the Durham University Business School jointly organized a workshop on SME Membership Organizations. The objective of the program was to explore strategies for capacity building of SME Associations. The program was moderated by Dr. Tim Atterton, Executive Director of the Durham Business School. The participants were representatives of SME Associations from the Southern States.

ISED-ECDPM Collaboration (1997)

ISED and the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) entered into a memorandum of understanding meant for collaborative research and knowledge sharing. Under this arrangement, Tool Foundation, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs project of the Government of Netherlands, was evaluated by the ISED, with recommendations on its future course.

ISED-Free University of Amsterdam Project

The Centre for Development Co-operation Services (CDCS) at the Free University of Amsterdam, and the ISED joined together on a collaborative research program on SME Productivity and Growth, with focus on the comparative experience of India and the Netherlands.

ISED-ICCSR Collaboration (2007)

Following the visit and interactions between ISED Director P.M. Mathew at the International Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility, Nottingham, the two institutions identified mutual areas of cooperation in research, and knowledge sharing. ‘Social Enterprise’ has been identified as a key area of cooperation where joint studies will be initiated by the two institutions.

ISED-ICSSR Global Project on SMEs

ISED initiated an International Project entitled ‘SME Policy: Comparative Experience of Developed and Emerging Economies. The focal countries were India and the United Kingdom. The study was facilitated by Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi. The findings of the study have come out in the form of an ISED Report.

ISED-IDPAD Project on SME Innovation

‘SME innovation’ has been a focal area of research and practice for ISED. A study project on the comparative experience of India and Netherlands was facilitated under the Indo-Dutch Program for Alternatives in Development (IDPAD). The collaborating institutions were, ISED on the Indian side, and the Development Research Institute (IVO) at the University of Tilburg, on the Dutch side. The Programme was administered by the Indian Council of Social Sciences Research.

ISED-ILO Consultative Meet

Mr. Gopal Joshi, Chief, Enterprise Development Division, International Labour Organization, New Delhi, visited ISED on February 5 and 6 2004, and explored areas of mutual cooperation. Mr. Joshi also delivered a Lecture on ‘Privatization in Asia and its implications for job creation and enterprise development’. The Lecture by Joshi has come out as an ISED publication, entitled ‘Private Sector Development in Asia’.

ISED-ILO International LED Conference

A landmark event at Cochin that preceded the Mayors ‘Conference, held at Cochin in 2005 was the International Conference on Local Economic Development, organized in Cochin jointly by ISED and the International Labour Organization. The International Network on SMEs in Local Economic Development – India (INSLED- India), an international body was incubated and set up at this Conference. While INSLED-India is a non-profit organization incorporated in India, the ‘Cochin Declaration on SMEs in Local Economic Development’ signed by the Conference participants, visualize similar entities in other countries, which together can be members of an International confederation. Along with the Conference, an Exhibition on religious artefacts was organized at North Parur, Kerala.

ISED-INBAR PCS Project

Production-to-Consumption Systems is a new analytical framework in studies on global commodity chains today. In the context of Bamboo & Rattan, a multi-country project on these lines was initiated by the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), China. The report of India project, undertaken by ISED, has come out entitled, ‘The Bamboo Economy of Kerala, India: an Analysis of the Production-to-Consumption system’ (INBAR Working Paper No.12).

ISED-OECD Consultation on Social and Solidarity Economy

Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) is a new area of interest in development policy and practice Globally. Following the experience of Covid-19 the Pandemic, both ISED and the OECD have undertaken studies on the latest developments in the subject area. The consultation was meant to share such experience and to explore future areas of cooperation.

ISED-Social enterprise Project, London (2007)

In order to have a comparative perspective and learning, a study on Social Enterprise Policy and programs of the Government of UK was initiated by the Institute. P.M. Mathew undertook a comprehensive study of the case of Ealing Community Transport (ECT Ltd.), at the city of Ealing in Western London.  The report of the study has come out as an ISED Publication (See www.isedpublications.org)

ISED-UNIDO Workshop

Industrial clusters and their developmental potential has been highlighted by the Govt. of India both at the level of policy and practice. UNIDO has been the pioneer of identifying the potential of industrial clusters in India, and in developing a global program on the subject. George Assaf, Regional Director for Asia, at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, visited Kerala and initiated studies on the potential of the clusters in the State with focus on the Coir sector. As a part of collaboration between ISED and UNIDO, George Assaf lectured at the ISED on the subject, which has subsequently come out as an ISED publication entitled ‘Industrial Clusters: Opportunities and Constraints’. ISED is a National Consultant of the UNIDO.

ISED-University of Amsterdam Project

The Anthropology-Sociology Centre at the University of Amsterdam and the ISED joined together on a collaborative research initiative focused on the Rubber Sub-sector of Kerala. This was part of a larger programme of Indo-Dutch cooperation.

ISED-University of East Anglia Collaboration

ISED has a collaborative understanding with the School of Development Studies at the University of East Anglia, UK. Under this understanding of cooperation, Mark Holmstrom of East Anglia and P.M. Mathew of ISED worked together on a research theme on ‘Flexible Specialization’ leading to an edited volume published by Sage Publications, New York.

ISED-University Twente Collaborative Initiative

‘High-Technology Entrepreneurship’ is an emerging area in entrepreneurship research and practice. University of Twente is a leading center for research and practice in this area, with focus on SME innovation. Joy Clancy at the University of Twente and P.M. Mathew at ISED entered into a mutual understanding of cooperation in the subject area, with focus on ‘Energy and Gender’.

ISED-UPSSI Asia-Pacific Project

Under the leadership and support of the Foundation for Asian Management Development (FAMD), Jakarta, ISED and the UP Institute of Small-Scale Industries (UPSSI), at the University of Philippines, collaborated on a specialized monthly publication, ‘Asia-Pacific Newsletter’. The India Desk of project is managed by ISED.

ISED-US Consulate Collaboration

ISED and the United States Consulate, Chennai, have an understanding of sharing of knowledge and exchange of scholars that lead to academic advancements and development cooperation between India and the United States. Under such an arrangement, the ‘Annual Small Enterprise Lecture’ for the year at ISED was facilitated by the US Consulate through the visit of Prof. Zoltan J. Acs, former Chief Advisor to the United States Small Business Administration(US-SBA) Prof. Acs delivered his lecture on ‘The Growth of the New Economy and its Implications for Small and Medium Enterprises.’

ISED-US Consulate Lecture

ISED and the US Consulate, Chennai, joined together in 1999 under the ISED Annual Small Enterprise Lecture Program. The Lecture was delivered by Prof. Zoltan J. Acs of the Merrick School of Business, University of Maryland, USA.

ISED-USAID Asia Energy Project (2008)

ISED and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) joined together on an Asia project on Renewable Energy Entrepreneurship. The study project was focused on the experience of Bangladesh and India. The project was initiated under the South Asia Regional Initiative (SARI), a programme of the USAID.

ISED-ZDH Project of Public-Private Partnership

ZDH, Germany, and ISED entered into an arrangement of mutual cooperation relating to enhancement of the capacity of MSME Associations in India. The idea of cooperation involved sharing of experience and knowledge between the two Institutions with focus on the regional needs and aspirations. Under this program and in the context of the Govt. of Tamil Nadu- ZDH Program on Public- private Participation in SME Development, the technical expertise and knowledge sharing between the two institutions took place in the form of a comprehensive report that outlines the strategic framework of the program.

Open Entrepreneurship- Indo-British Experience

ISED, jointly with the Leicester Castle Business School, U.K., and in association with the Centre for Budget Studies, at the Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT), organized an Indo-British Interactive Session on ‘Open Entrepreneurship and Innovation’ on January 30,2021. The Session was addressed by speakers from U.K and India. Prof. David Rae, who is also Director of the Centre for Enterprise & Innovation, at the Business School was the Key Speaker.  Dr. P.M. Mathew, Senior Fellow & Director, ISED, spoke on the Indian experience in the subject area. Cochin Mayor, Mr. M. Anil Kumar made the introductory remarks. Mr. R. Fernandez, Head, Political, Economic & Public Affairs, at the British Deputy High Commission, Chennai, commented on Indo-British Economic Relations, with focus on Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development. Prof. M.K. Sukumaran Nair, Director, Centre for Budget Studies, moderated the discussion. The objective of the Interactive Session was to bring to light the importance of ‘Open Entrepreneurship’ in the context of the post-Covid-19 “new normal” and to share experience in an international setting. ‘Open Entrepreneurship’, in essence, is a state-of the-art concept that places innovation as the center point of entrepreneurship education, research and practice.

Regional Artefacts Exhibition, North Paravur

Institute of Small Enterprises and Development, jointly with the ILO, Export-Import Bank of India and the Ministry of Small-scale Industries, Government of India, organised an Exhibition at the Religious Artefacts Cluster at North Paravur. The event was facilitated by the Kottuvally Gram Panchayath, North Parur. The Exhibition formed part of the SME Cluster Development Programme of the Institute.

University of Saint Gallen Collaborative Initiative

The Department of SMEs and Entrepreneurship Development at the University of Saint Gallen, at Zurich, Switzerland, entered into an understanding of cooperation with ISED in knowledge sharing and research. This was in the context of the visit of P. M. Mathew at Zurich and Geneva.

Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative

The latest trends in the global economy brings to the fore the critical role of Youth Entrepreneurship both as a solution and opportunity, in the context of labour market rigidities. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington, and ISED joined together on a workshop meant for sharing of global experiences and latest thinking on the subject area. The key speaker of the day was Dr. Suresh Babu, Director, Capacity building, at the IFPRI