NEW DELHI, Dec 16, 2020 – Speaking at an ASSOCHAM conference here today Arjun Ram Meghwal, Hon’ble Minister of State – Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, said that the latest data on the auto sector show that things are looking up and the government will do as much more as necessary to boost it and help it grow.
Addressing the ASSOCHAM Foundation Week session on “Future of manufacturing in India – becoming a competitive global hub” at ASSOCHAM’s virtual conference the Hon’ble Minister of State – Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises said, “This period is very important for the auto sector, especially in the backdrop of Covid, but we must work to turn this into an opportunity. Despite the challenges faced by the auto industry, data in the last 3 months look encouraging. The government has taken several steps for the benefit of the auto sector including steps like reviewing the tax on EV from 12% to 5 % and will continue to do more. The govt will do all that is necessary to boost the auto sector.”
Urging the auto industry to focus on R&D and become Atma Nirbhar – as being stressed upon by PM Narendra Modi – Meghwal said: ”We must now focus on R&D in the auto sector as this is what will take it forward. The time has come to now think of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and 3D printing. I urge you to work on R&D, we need to convert this tough time into opportunity and walk step in step with the world on the R&D front.”
ASSOCHAM is organizing a five day long virtual conference on its Foundation Day from 15th to 19th December 2020 with central theme “India’s resilience: Atmanirbhar roadmap towards US$5 trillion economy” where a series of sessions are being dedicated by various ministers including Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Piyush Goyal, Smt Smriti Zubin Irani, Dharmendra Pradhan, D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Narendra Singh Tomar, Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Santosh Gangwar, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Prahlad Singh Patel.
Speaking at the event Vineet Agarwal, Sr. Vice President, ASSOCHAM said, “The Auto industry has contributed a lot to the country but today is facing challenges with the major one being Covid which has led to fall in demand. But this is also a time for us to turn this crisis into an opportunity. We must use this period to find new ways of increasing our productivity and efficiency and soon we can manufacture world class vehicles and export to any market in the world.”
Speaking at the session, Satyakam Arya, Managing Director & CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles – With Atmanirbhar, the Indian government seeks to promote local businesses and strengthen domestic supply chains. This move, supported by ASSOCHAM, will help Indian companies both large and small to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic. With over 350 Indian suppliers and a localization rate near 90%, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, makers of made-for-India BharatBenz trucks and buses welcomes this initiative. As independent India turns 75, let’s work together to make 2021 a great success with ‘Make in India for the World’.
R. S. Kalsi, Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council for Auto & Auto Ancillaries and Executive Board Member Maruti Suzuki India Limited – ASSOCHAM has played an important role over the last hundred years in facilitating the growth of business and industry of our country. It has created a strong platform for constructive & fruitful discussions on various policy issues between industry, regulatory bodies & Govt. I would like to congratulate the entire ASSOCHAM fraternity on the occasion of celebration of its hundredth foundation year.
Sudhir Mehta, CMD Pinnacle Industries and Director, Force Motors – The Auto industry contributes 50 percent of manufacturing in India and the opportunities of the post-Covid World can allow us to become a global powerhouse in the coming decade
Vikram Batra, Vice President, Ashok Leyland – The Automotive industry is a key driver for the Indian economy contributing 12% of GDP, and more than 40% of the manufacturing sector. There is a great opportunity for the industry to flourish and become Globally competitive and contribute toward our goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy.
Naveen Munjal, Managing Director, Hero Electric Vehicles Private Limited -India is at the cusp of a clean and green mobility revolution, the growth of Electric vehicles across various segments has been on an encouraging trajectory for the industry. The roll out of industry friendly policies from various State Governments and the larger FAME policy by the Central Government has aided in driving adoption for Electric two-wheelers. It is great to see the governing bodies push for localization that will help bring down costs and cut down on imports that add to the cost of manufacturing. To further drive adoption of EVs, we as an industry must collectively come together to create awareness and address concerns of range anxiety along with speed that the looming concerns of customers today.
Vinod Pandey, Chair, Manufacturing Council andHead, Govt. Affair and External Affairs, BMW India said, “We need to focus on two aspects – Nurturing Potential & Policy. How do we nurture growth opportunities to create strong demand? Stable, transparent, and consistent policy fieldwork is important for key businesses& manufacturing industries. It improves business and provide long term clarity. India has a great potential to be an important manufacturing hub. My strong recommendation is to work closely with the industry and develop long-term policy, he added”.
