Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

11-September-2012 15:11 IST

Anand Sharma Inaugurates India Show in Brno, Czech Republic

Over 135 Indian Engineering Companies Showcase Products and Services

The Union Minister for Commerce, Industry & Textiles of India, Shri Anand Sharma, and Minister of Industry & Trade of the Czech Republic, Mr. M Kuba jointly inaugurated the "India Show" in Brno, Czech Republic at the MSV Fairground on the morning of September 10, 2012. Minister Anand Sharma led a high level business delegation participating in the India Show. Over 135 companies belonging primarily to India’s engineering sector are participating, showcasing their strengths and capabilities with respect to Indian products, technologies and services during this entire week. These companies represent the entire scale of India’s engineering strengths; encompassing large, medium and the small scale sectors.

Minister Sharma called on the Czech President Mr. Vaclav Klaus, and also on Czech Prime Minister Mr. Petr Necas. Minister Sharma discussed measures to deepen bilateral engagement with these Czech leaders. Discussions focussed on sectors of mutual interest such as mining, auto, heavy industries, power generating equipment and technical textiles.

Minister Anand Sharma held a bilateral meeting with Czech Minister of Trade and Industry Mr. M Kuba during which both Ministers agreed to double bilateral trade in 3 years to reach the level of two billion dollars. Minister Anand Sharma invited the Czech Minister to participate in the India Engineering Sourcing Show (IESS), in March 2013 as partner country. The Czech Minister accepted the invitation. Both Ministers agreed to launch Joint Working Groups (JWGs), in areas of skills and innovation, heavy engineering, and life sciences and pharmaceuticals.

Later in the evening, Shri Anand Sharma participated at the Opening Ceremony of the MSV International Engineering Fair alongwith Czech President and senior members of the Czech government and dignitaries. Addressing the ceremony, Minister Anand Sharma said, ‘India enjoys the unique advantage of having multiple drivers of growth—demographic, investment (backed by domestic savings), domestic consumption, as well as exports and ample scope for FDI – all within a pluralistic and democratic system. Minister Anand Sharma state that India’s plans for mammoth infrastructure investments in the immediate future offers huge opportunities for Czech expertise in power generating equipment, mining, automotive and transport sectors. He also stated that at a time when the world is in the midst of a global slowdown, countries must desist the temptation of erecting newer trade barriers which will further deepen recession and delay global recovery.

Shri Sharma exhorted the engineering leaders from the Czech Republic and all other participating countries at the International Engineering Fair to visit the India Pavilion and look at the immense opportunities that exist in expanding economic co-operation with India particularly, in the engineering and the manufacturing sector.

The “India Show" from 10-14 September, 2012 is being organized jointly by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) India. The show has exhibits from various sectors of Indian engineering showcasing the engineering transformation that is currently in process in India.

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DS/GK