INDIA
POISED FOR BECOMING GLOBAL R&D HUB – SHRI
DHINDSA
Shri S.S. Dhindsa, Minister for Chemicals and
Fertilizers has stated that due to sound educational system and
a strong network of educational institutions, research laboratories
and technological institutes in the knowledge based industries,
India has the potential of becoming the global R&D hub. Realizing
India’s strength in the knowledge based sector he said, large
global companies like the GE are setting up their research facilities
in this country.
Addressing the Pre-event Press briefing of INDIA–
CHEM 2002 here today, Shri Dhindsa said that it was significant
that some of our pharmaceutical companies have done commendable
work in basic research leading to new drug discovery. They have
discovered new molecules and licensed them to leading multi-nationals,
thereby, excelling in an area largely regarded as the domain of
global giants, he said.
Highlighting the IT revolution in the country,
Shri Dhindsa said that India’s technological strength and the
potential in the knowledge-based industries is now recognized
worldwide. He said the India’s scientists and engineers have done
well in process chemistry and pharmaceuticals and our laboratories
both in private and Government sectors are doing basic research
for a number of multi-national companies. 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 and would lead to tie-ups in the research
areas in the coming years.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Tapan Sikar, MOS
(Chemicals & Fertilizers), stated that the chemical industry,
constituting 14 per cent of the total output of the manufacturing
sector, have registered a growth rate ranging between 8 to 15
per cent in last few years which has been double the rate of growth
of our GDP. He said the chemical sector recorded exports of Rs.22,657
crore last year which was 11.5 per cent of total exports of all
commodities from India, despite severe competition abroad. Shri
Sikdar said that due to India’s strength in process chemistry
and pharmaceuticals a number of multi national companies are sourcing
their products from India. He said that a standing committee has
been set up to go into the issue of Agro-Chemical Industry to
suggest measures for creating state-of-art infrastructure to give
a boost to the industry in India.
Shri Vinay Kohli, Secretary, Department of Chemicals
and Petrochemicals stated that it was a matter of great satisfaction
that a large number (233) of companies are participating in India-Chem
2002 comprising of 79 foreign and 144 Indian companies. He said
33 German Companies, second largest chemical industry in the world,
were participating including world leaders like Bayer, BASF, Degussa,
Lurgi and Uhde. The other countries participating in INDIA - CHEM
2002 included USA (16), China (14), Italy (7), Sweden, Denmark,
UAE, Iran, Japan, UK, Swtizerland and Netherlands. He said the
presence of a large number of foreign companies will provide the
small and medium sector an excellent opportunity to forge new
alliances and tie-ups.
