iCEMA Conference on Infrastructure Development
Coinciding with bC India 2013, the iCEMA-India's earthmoving and construction equipment nodal body organized a conference focusing on the present status of key infrastructure projects in the country covering technological innovations in the construction equipment sector, global perspectives on skilled manpower requirement, viable model for infrastructure and equipment financing, operation and maintenance of larger projects and related business opportunities for the construction equipment industry.
The specific key areas were discussed at the conference in three sessions. In the inaugural session, there was an overview of Infrastructure development in India by Mr. Vivek Bhatia, Principal, the Boston Consulting Group and addressed by M.F Farooqui, Secretary, Department of Heavy Industry, government of India in the inaugural session. The other three sessions saw presentations by David Phillip, MD, Off-Highway Research, UK on global trends in earthmoving & construction equipment industry, D.S Rana, Chief Project Manager DFC project, and Nazban B Mehta, general manager –operations DP World on port development. While Mr. Amit Gossain, VP & Convener Conference Panel iCEMA and VP, Marketing and Business Development, JCB India summed up the session.
Session II and III on Infrastructure financing and Skill Development respectively were addressed by CEO, L&T Finance, Saud Ibne Siddique, Srei Infrastructure Finance and Jehangir Ardeshir, Convener skill development panel iCEMA and President & MD, Terex India, Tony Howard, UK Constructiuon Industry Training Board, Ranjan Choudhury, NSDC , Col Ajit Palekar, CEO kushal Credai Pune with summing up and concluding remarks by Jehangir Ardeshir.
The discussion in three sessions veered around challenges before the Indian industry as it emerge out of the shadow of global economic slowdown, ways and means to address issues of demand and supply, strategies for various markets and solutions to move forward.
Talking about iCEMA, Glenville da Silva, the President said that iCEMA is affiliated to the CII and presently represents 47 leading companies who manufacture, trade and finance a variety of CE products such as hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, motor graders, vibratory compactors, cranes, dumpers, tippers, forklifts trucks, pavers, batching plants, diesel engines etc. The construction equipment industry has enjoyed a strong growth over the last few years and has the potential to expand six to seven times by 2020 provided infrastructure development programmes are put on fast track and investment-friendly environment is created.
Talking about the need for huge investment in infrastructure, Mr. Amit Gossain said that huge investment in infrastructure is imperative and so is the need for evolving innovative financing solutions to encourage private sector participation in infrastructure development. No wonder the government envisages investing $1 trillion in infrastructure development with private sector contributing half the planned expenditure. The concerns of private sector on delays in projects need to be addressed. Currently, these delays are holding up economic and social benefits the country badly needs when projects worth several crores relating to roads, ports, airports, power, and mining remain blocked due to difficult access to land and green clearances. Such lackluster performance impacts job creation as well. There are problems no doubt but these are to be resolved sooner rather than later. I am positive that we will find the way through the challenge. India is there to be built.
The specific key areas were discussed at the conference in three sessions. In the inaugural session, there was an overview of Infrastructure development in India by Mr. Vivek Bhatia, Principal, the Boston Consulting Group and addressed by M.F Farooqui, Secretary, Department of Heavy Industry, government of India in the inaugural session. The other three sessions saw presentations by David Phillip, MD, Off-Highway Research, UK on global trends in earthmoving & construction equipment industry, D.S Rana, Chief Project Manager DFC project, and Nazban B Mehta, general manager –operations DP World on port development. While Mr. Amit Gossain, VP & Convener Conference Panel iCEMA and VP, Marketing and Business Development, JCB India summed up the session.
Session II and III on Infrastructure financing and Skill Development respectively were addressed by CEO, L&T Finance, Saud Ibne Siddique, Srei Infrastructure Finance and Jehangir Ardeshir, Convener skill development panel iCEMA and President & MD, Terex India, Tony Howard, UK Constructiuon Industry Training Board, Ranjan Choudhury, NSDC , Col Ajit Palekar, CEO kushal Credai Pune with summing up and concluding remarks by Jehangir Ardeshir.
The discussion in three sessions veered around challenges before the Indian industry as it emerge out of the shadow of global economic slowdown, ways and means to address issues of demand and supply, strategies for various markets and solutions to move forward.
Talking about iCEMA, Glenville da Silva, the President said that iCEMA is affiliated to the CII and presently represents 47 leading companies who manufacture, trade and finance a variety of CE products such as hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, motor graders, vibratory compactors, cranes, dumpers, tippers, forklifts trucks, pavers, batching plants, diesel engines etc. The construction equipment industry has enjoyed a strong growth over the last few years and has the potential to expand six to seven times by 2020 provided infrastructure development programmes are put on fast track and investment-friendly environment is created.
Talking about the need for huge investment in infrastructure, Mr. Amit Gossain said that huge investment in infrastructure is imperative and so is the need for evolving innovative financing solutions to encourage private sector participation in infrastructure development. No wonder the government envisages investing $1 trillion in infrastructure development with private sector contributing half the planned expenditure. The concerns of private sector on delays in projects need to be addressed. Currently, these delays are holding up economic and social benefits the country badly needs when projects worth several crores relating to roads, ports, airports, power, and mining remain blocked due to difficult access to land and green clearances. Such lackluster performance impacts job creation as well. There are problems no doubt but these are to be resolved sooner rather than later. I am positive that we will find the way through the challenge. India is there to be built.
NBM&CW March 2013