Recognising the importance of small scale entrepreneurship, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday lauded Brijmohan Lall Munjal of the Hero Group, which has emerged the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer.

"Many of today's successful and prominent businesses have had humble origins in the small scale sector. One name that comes immediately to mind is of Shri Brijmohan Lall Munjal who began as a small businessman and whose Hero Cycles has grown into the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturing company," he said at an award function of small scale sector industries.

Many other business families started with small businesses and have today acquired a global scale and presence, he added.

Singh also appreciated the State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and State Bank of Travancore for their support to the small scale sector for giving credit and hoped others would follow suit.

The prime minister also gave them awards for extending banking and credit facilities to the small scale sector.