The Government is providing all support to the industry in its efforts to achieve global competitiveness, and it has been holding interactive meeting with the industry captains to have a first hand knowledge of the issue that are crucial to them, says Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Union minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers. In a speech delivered at the pre-event press briefing of India Chem 2002 in New Delhi on September 16, the minister informed that the first such meeting was very successful and we will have the second meeting next and following months.

"It is indeed a momentous occasion for the Indian chemical industry that the second international exhibition and conference on chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and process plant and equipment is being organized," he said.

Dhindsa added that the first event India Chem 2000 was very successful, as it had served a long-standing need for holding such an event at the national level in our country. The government and FICCI came together to organize this event in order to provide an opportunity to our industry to showcase its strengths, both in manufacturing and research. The event also provides an opportunity for our industry to learn from world leaders in chemical industry on what shape this industry will take in the future and what are the latest issues that this industry is facing worldwide. The presence of a large number of foreign companies and foreign speakers helps our industry particularly in the small and medium sectors to keep abreast of latest developments taking place globally, he said.

Excerpts from the minister''s speech:
"Due to a sound educational system and a strong network of educational institutions, research laboratories and technological industries India has developed tremendous strength in the knowledge-based industries. Since a long time our scientists and doctors have earned distinction for themselves in the USA and other European countries. The IT revolution in the country has highlighted India''s technological strength and our potential in the knowledge based industries sis now recognized worldwide. Our scientists and engineers have done well in process chemistry and pharmaceuticals. Our laboratories, both in the private and Government sectors are doing basic research for a number of multi national companies.

It is indeed a matter of great pride for all of us that some our pharmaceutical companies have done commendable work in basic research leading to new drug discovery. They have discovered new molecules and licen-sed them to leading multi-nationals. Our companies have thus excelled in an area largely regarded as the domain of global giants and have set the Indian flag fluttering among the most developed nations.

Realizing India''s strengths in the knowledge based sector, large global companies like the GE are setting up their research facilities in this country. Given these strengths, India has the potential of becoming the global R&D hub India Chem 2002 will provide an opportunity to the foreign companies and the leaders of the global chemical industry to have a first hand appreciation of India''s capabilities. I am confident that this interaction would lead to tie-ups in the research areas in the coming years.

The international conference being organized on this occasion will provide an opportunity to hear the views of a galaxy of speakers, both from within the country and abroad. Such occasions provide excellent platform for exchange of views on some important aspects of the industry ranging from the latest researchers in these areas to the emerging concepts in marketing and supply chains."

The confirmations received from foreign participants in this event both for the Exhibition and the Conferences has been very encouraging. Some of the top American, European, Chinese ad Japanese companies are among the over 70 foreign companies that have confirmed participation, the minister said. "The Indian industry, including the small and medium sector will have and excellent opportu-nity in this to forge new allian-ces and tie-ups," he concluded.