SIDBI–D&B SPeX, India’s 1st Sustainability Index dedicated to MSMEs launched

NL Correspondent
Jammu Tawi: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and Dun & Bradstreet, the global leading provider of business
decisioning data and analytics, signed an MoU to create the SIDBI -D&B Sustainability Perception Index (SIDBI – D&B SPeX). The
index will be presented as a quantitative measurement for policy makers and enablers to nudge businesses towards adopting an
ESG framework in their business strategy over the coming years. To be released every quarter, the survey will capture the sentiment
of businesses on various business parameters that, when analysed at an aggregate level, will provide valuable insights on adoption
of an ESG framework. SIDBI – D&B SPeX will also capture feedback on specific events and policies. Later it is planned to cover the
sectoral and sub sectoral perceptions/aspirations & preparedness where the sectoral enterprises can track themselves in regard to
improvement on ESG. The SIDBI-D&B Sustainability Perception Index was launched on 30th September 2022 in an event held in
Coimbatore in the presence of Industries Commissioner and Director Industries and Commence, Government of Tamil Nadu, CMD
of SIDBI, and MD of D&B. During the event attended by around 200 representatives of MSMEs, financial institutions, government
departments, and other stakeholders, SIDBI and D&B also signed an MoU for developing and implementing the Index.
Sivasubramanian Ramann, Chairman and Managing Director of SIDBI in his remarks at the opening event noted that Sustainability
disclosure and reporting play an important role to help MSMEs and investors to reduce risks across their supply chain and enable an
efficient decision-making process, toward greening MSMEs as well as lending institutions. Ramann said that the SIDBI- D&B SPeX
will help to gauge the understanding of sustainability within the sector.
Sigy Thomas Vaidhyan, Industries Commissioner & Director of Industries & Commerce, GoTN welcomed SIDBI's attention on
Greening the finance for MSMEs. In her remark, in view of several programs being run by central & state government for MSMEs,
she hoped that a new category of ‘Platinum' should be created under ZED program beside already having Bronze, Gold, Silver
category. Speaking at the signing event held in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Avinash Gupta, Managing Director & CEO – India, Dun &
Bradstreet said “Across the globe, ESG has become a mainstay conversation in corporate boardrooms and, more importantly, in the
allocation of capital.”