International Engineering & Technology Fair

International Engineering & Technology Fair 2007

The 17th International Engineering & Technology Fair, IETF 2007, the flagship event of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), organised from 13-16 February, 2007 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, concluded on a promising note thus reinforcing India’s stand as a fast paced forward moving market. With Japan as Partner Country supported by eight sector specific shows viz: Automation & Instrumentation, Biotech, International Railway Equipment Exhibition (IREE), Manufacturing Pavilion, Partmart & Autocare, Safe and Technovation (for design, emerging technologies, innovation) and The India Infrastructure Show. IETF had a dedicated hall for SMEs, Enterprise, and a Global Pavilion for Country participations. The IETF 2007 was inaugurated by Mr Kamal Nath, Minister for Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India, and Mr Toshiaki Kitamura, Vice Minister for International Affairs, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industries, Govt. of Japan. Speaking at the inaugural of the 17th IETF, Mr Kamal Nath stated, “The Indian manufacturing sector must grow at a rate of 15% per year. This is necessary to achieve the target of 25% share of the manufacturing sector in GDP from the current level of 17%”, he said. Saying that the engineering goods sector has expanded and diversified, and is now the fastest-growing sector of industry, he said that it is also a sector of high employment. One job created in the manufacturing sector leads to three more new jobs in the services sector. Special guest at the inaugural Mr Toshiaki Kitamura, Vice Minister for International Affairs, METI, Japan, said that Japan was delighted to be the partner country for the second time at IETF. Stating that Japan-India relations had never been better or closer, he said that FDI from Japan to India has been growing at 60% for the last two years. This is reflected in the high participation of Japanese companies at the IETF. Japanese business is excited about the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor, a mega industrial zone that will attract investments and promote trade, pointed out the Vice Minister. India and Japan share a common vision for regional economic cooperation and are participating together in the 16-member Asian community.