There couldn''t be a better beginning for India Chem 2002. The international exhibition and conference on chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceutical technologies, process plant machinery control and automation system, has been received with such an enthusiastic response with 79 foreign companies confirming their presence in the event. The grandiose participation from the countries that are known for their dominance in world chemical industry sector, with a matching presence from Indian chemical industry sector, have made us believe that globalisation has come of age in India.
The event jointly organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the department of chemicals and fertilizers, Government of India and also 20 related industry organizations has 233 companies participating in it. While there are 33 companies from Germany alone, other leading players in chemical industry like USA, China and Italy have 16, 14 and 7 companies respectively to ensure their presence in the fair. There are also companies from Sweden, Denmark, UAE, Iran, Japan, UK, Switzerland, and Netherlands who have confirmed presence in the summit.
Concurrent to India Chem 2002 are the International Conference from September 18- 21 and the India Latin America Health Summit from September 18 - 19. While 95 speakers (including 25 foreign invitees) are to address the India Chem conference, Latin America Health Summit will be noted for the interactive sessions and factory visit that are planned part of the summit.
There are 95 confirmed buyer delegates from various foreign countries. While China tops the list with 40 persons the other buyers are from Germany (30) and USA (25). Health Summit will have the presence of the health ministers of four countries namely Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Bolivia.
Another major attraction of the event is the presence of foreign drug regulatory authorities. On the whole there are 22 drug control authorities from 12 countries that have confirmed their presence in the international event. The direct factory visits; one-on-one meetings and business discussions are expected to be extremely useful to the Indian chemical industry.
The presence of private drug companies is another encouraging scenario in Indiachem 2002. There are 18 persons representing foreign private drug manufacturers who are attending the health summit. Indiachem is to be a bonus event for them.
Exhibition
India Chem 2002 can rightly be termed as "Europe Centric". Germany, the lead country has the strongest contingent of companies which include Bayer, Degussa hulls, Adams Armaturen, Seumer KG, Lutz Pumpen, Schwarze Alpine, Deche-ma, Hans Turck GmbH & Co, Impetus, Krishnan Antioxidant, Orbit Research Associate, Samson Control Pvt Ltd, Wika Instruments and E Merk. Interestingly, Germany has longstanding, well-established partnerships in the country. India receives more than 25% of the total annual foreign direct investments (FDI) made by the country across the world. Its Indian exports account to $ 300 million, while India exports goods worth $ 200 million to Germany. The outcome of the event is likely to see more FDIs flowing into the country.
The exhibition has USA as the "Guest Country". The organizers have said that this is due to the tremendous the country received at the India Chem 2000. The exhibition would feature a special pavilion for the Common Wealth of Pennsylvania to promote business tie-ups between companies of that state with the Indian industry.
The exhibition has been designed to give a focused look and feel with designated areas for each industry sector (Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Pharmaceutical technologies, process plant machinery control and Automation system). It will give special focus on segments like agro chemicals, fine and speciality chemicals, basic chemicals, dyes and pigments, chemicals from herbal and other natural resources, paints and varnishes, soaps and detergents and clean technology tie-ups. Consultancy for waste management, feedstock linkages, processing, marketing management, safety and environment protection are the sectors that would be covered under ''Clean Technology tie ups''.
The exhibition will provide a serious business platform for the gamut of chemicals, petrochemicals and pharmaceutical and technology bases both in India and abroad. India-Chem 2002 will allow Indian companies to showcase their capabilities to some of the best in the world and engineer business ties for one of the fastest growing industries in India.
India - Latin America Health Summit
The India Latin America Health Summit was organised separately by FICCI in March 2001. The event, which took place in Mumbai, had evoked such a good response that FICCI in association with Ministry of Commerce, government of India decided to continue the summit as a concurrent event to India Chem 2002. The Summit is providing an interactive platform for the regulatory authorities of these countries and to discuss the current regulatory system in order to boost exports to Latin American countries. Among the current years participants for the event are Aurobindo Pharma, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd, Wockhardt Ltd, Win Medicare Ltd, Dr Reddy''s Laboratories Limited, Nicholas Piramal India Limited, Cadila Healthcare Limited, Lupin Labs Limited and Sun Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Going by the interest shown by the Latin American countries as well as some of the developed countries that have a controlling share in global chemical and pharmaceutical industry, it should be considered that globalisation and liberalization of the Indian economy has not just invited competitions, but also cooperative and mutually beneficial interactions. If the initial response to the event is any indication, the tremendous interest towards Indiachem is itself a proof that Indian chemical industry has matured enough to attract global players in the segment for cooperation.
Interestingly, India has managed to attract not just the global players in chemical industrial sector. It has also attracted the pharmaceutical industry from other developing countries as well. While India''s strength in process chemistry and the availability of trained human skill could be the reasons for the interest shown by the global players, its capability to develop and manufacture the diseases common to tropical countries or the developing world has helped it in attracting the attention of other developing nations.
India would thus be prepared to participate in research programmes on one hand and engage in serious business discussions on the other. To quote S S Dhindsa, Union minister for chemicals and fertilizers, Indiachem "provides an opportunity to our industry to show-case its strengths, both in manufacturing and research".Maharashtra is the partner state for India Chem 2002 .
The event is supported by Indian Chemicals Manufacturers Association, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Manufacturers Association, Indian Drug Manufacturers'' Association, Organization of Pharmaceutical Producers of India, Bulk Drug Manufacturers'' Association, Process Plant and Machinery Association of India, Indian Pharmaceuticals Alliance, Basic Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics Export Promotion Council, The Dye-Stuffs Manufacturers Association of India, Pesticides Association of India, Pesticides Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India, Alkali Manufacturers'' Association of India, Indian Specialty Chemicals Manufacturers'' Association, Fragrances and Flavours Association of India, Association of Small & Medium Chemicals Manufacturers, Indo-Italian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, India-Tech Foundation, Instruments Society of America (ISA) India Region, Indian Chemical Merchants and Manufacturers Association, Federation of All India Dyes & Chemicals Merchants Association, Medicon Valley Association, Denmark and Indo German Chamber of Commerce.