After feeling the heat of economic slowdown in the last few years, there is a hope of new dawn in India's market growth with the formation of new government at the centre. What is your take on this?
Post Budget 2014 presented by the new government, there is definitely a boost in the market sentiments. Apart from other sectors, the Indian Infrastructure and Infrastructure development sector too are pegged for growth. In fact, NDA's manifesto had mentioned the word 'infrastructure' many times and the 41-page-long document promised to give the sector a required boost. Perhaps the biggest focus of the budget is in reviving the infrastructure sector. The finance minister has approached this issue from a number of angles. By extending the 80 IA tax benefit by three years, government has provided tax incentive for investment in the sector. Such steps will only help the sector grow and display its true potential while making way for the growth of other sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and housing while providing a boost to job creation.
bC India is coming at a time when the industry's sentiments are firming up due to new government's commitments toward infrastructure construction which is clearly reflected in the first budget of this government; how do you see this positivity for construction equipment market in India in general and bC India in particular?
There has been an increase in investment in the Infrastructure sector by Indian companies in view of an expected growth in the Indian economy, plans of executing larger public works and removing road blocks for Infrastructure development in the country. The encouraging signs for Industry and the message from the government seem to be having a positive effect for those participating in the bCIndia 2014 edition to be held in Delhi this December.
What has been the consideration in relocating bC to Delhi? How are you visualizing and anticipating its positive impact on the participation and business?
Delhi in winter is pleasant and will provide the perfect ambience for the event. The city boasts of good infrastructure, the metro to Noida and the expressway makes it accessible from all pick up points. Airports, Railways and the Metro keep the venue easily accessible. The fact that it's the Capital thus the hub for all policy- makers, decision-makers, government bodies and bureaucratic community. Hence see a great opportunity for the Construction Equipment sector to come in full strength to be seen and recognized for their true potential. bCIndia expects that 2015 will usher in the true scale of Indian Infrastructure and Construction Industry, one more reason why to be present at bC India by the end of this year.
How are the preparations of the show going on and what are the innovative steps being taken this year to make the show notable by bringing unexpected opportunities and opening new business vistas for the participants?
The preparations definitely picked up in pace and the event is coming closer in big steps. The new target group of North India will certainly add value, as well as the modern exhibition centre in Greater Noida. In addition to its favorable climate, Delhi is easily accessible from abroad as well as from within India. More highlights will be added by our exhibitors who will again show their newest product developments and new machinery launches along with a fantastic and broad accompanying program.
Could you please share the expected number of exhibitors and visitors, space earmarked for the show, countries' pavilions' participation, and other related information with us? What about the confirmed participation you have received so far?
We expect for bC India in December 2014 around 700 companies to participate. Looking at the ratio of our past events, we have welcomed 40% Indian headquartered companies and 60% foreign headquartered companies. This year, we will be again welcoming exhibitors from more than 30 countries worldwide including national pavilions from China, Germany, Italy, Korea, Spain, U.K., and the USA.
How are you promoting the show to attract visitorship from all over the country especially from South where most bigwigs have their hubs? Are you also planning to attract the visitors from South Asian countries?
We are promoting our show wherever we can, at domestic as well as at international shows like bauma, bauma China in Shanghai or the CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas.
Moreover, we will conduct road shows all across India in the upcoming months to raise even more awareness of our event. The interaction with the media and press will definitely play a very important role to convey our key messages and attract more visitors to Greater Noida, where we of course will provide a convenient shuttle service for all the attendees. Last but not the least we will increase our presence online and contact new exhibitors and visitors through the new modern channels.
What is the theme of this year show and related coinciding events like conferences and CE industry meets etc?
Keeping our theme 'Quality makes the Difference' in mind, I would like to underline that bC India has developed into one of the most important business to business trade fairs for construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines and construction vehicles in the Middle East and India after just two editions.
The full range of products will be exhibited at bC India 2014, the main categories will be: All around construction sites, mining, extraction and processing of raw materials, production of building materials and component and service suppliers. These generally cover all sections for the equipment segment and will be presented by numerous international as well as domestic key players of the industry.
How does event like bC India help in bringing and disseminating the information of the advanced and innovative products and technologies at one platform, thus raising the technological status of the CE industry?
We plan to increase the quality of the show by not only adding a high quality supporting program with different kind of presentations, panel discussions and training sessions, like for example health-and-safety workshops or training sessions but also talking about emerging markets and how the innovative products of our exhibitors can be beneficial for other markets. I am sure that our supportive associations will again contribute and hold interesting and well-casted seminars parallel to our exhibition wherein the technological status will be discussed in detail, whereas the exhibiting companies will display their newest product launches.
For the success of mega exhibition like bC India, support of local agencies is very essential for things like security arrangements, smooth regulation of traffic flow, effective transportation, accommodation, etc. How are you getting the support from Delhi local agencies to ensure these arrangements?
So far the support is very good. All bodies with whom we speak are very open to support and help us with our event. Some associations will support us in the events program, some with a joint pavilion, and some by promoting the exhibition. The local agencies and authorities know about the size and importance of our event and help us wherever they can. You can convince yourself by the end of this year !
