South Asia’s largest construction equipment show EXCON in Bangalore next week

Monday, 11 November 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By P. Waruni EXCON 2013, the seventh international construction equipment and construction technology fair, is being organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) from 20-24 November 2013 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, Bangalore. EXCON 2013 is the third largest construction equipment exhibition in Asia and the largest in South Asia. The exhibition will showcase a wide variety of equipment, technology and products with specific emphasis on efficiency, productivity, environment and safety. Confederation of Indian Industry

CII works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India, partnering industry, government and civil society through advisory and consultative processes. CII is a non-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organisation, playing a proactive role in India’s development process. Founded over 118 years ago, India’s premier business association has over 7,100 members, from the private as well as public sector, including SMEs and MNCs, and indirect membership of over 90,000 enterprises from around 257 national and regional sectoral industry bodies. Extending its agenda beyond business, CII assists industry to indentify and execute corporate citizenship programs. The CII theme for 2013-14 is ‘Accelerating Economic Growth through Innovation, Transformation, Inclusion and Governance’. Towards this, CII accords top priority to stepping up the growth trajectory of the nation, while retaining a strong focus on accountability, transparency and measurement in the corporate and social eco-system, building a knowledge economy, and broad-basing development to help deliver the fruits of progress to all. Spread across 220,000 square meters and with a participation of over 725 exhibitors, including 225 foreign companies, EXCON is the largest exhibition on construction equipment in South Asia. The five-day exhibition will witness over 100 new product launches and attract over 35,000 business visitors from across the globe. Ideal platform to forge partnerships Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Secretary General/CEO Harin Malwatte stated: “The investment in the recent past in much-needed infrastructure was essential for us to reap the full benefit of post-conflict fast-track development. The opportunities for partnership are very attractive with many sectors opening up, not restricted in any specific area of our country. The EXCON 2013 construction exhibition and conference, therefore, is an ideal platform to forge partnerships between our local business and the participating members of the CII.” In his presentation on EXCON 2013, Glenville Da Silva, member EXCON 2013 Steering Committee and Vice President, Business Development Asia, Volvo Construction Equipment, said: “This is the seventh edition of the EXCON, the inaugural edition of which was held in 2000. With each passing edition, the event has witnessed immense growth both in quality and in number. So, while this will be country pavilions including leading economies like China, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Sweden and Turkey.”

Focus on SMEs EXCON 2013 will also have a large presence of SMEs in the component and aggregate manufacturing, showcasing Indian’s potential as a preferred outsourcing destination for construction equipment manufacturing. With the participation of almost all leading players in the construction equipment industry, the exhibition would aim at facilitating faster and sustainable development of infrastructure and related sector in India. Some of the factors include accelerating road building capacity every day, speeding up infrastructure development in an ecologically sustainable manner and enhancing rural connectivity and development for all inclusive growth. It will also focus on urban renewal by improving the quality of life in fast growing Indian cities, positioning India as an outsourcing destination for component and aggregate manufacturing. Da Silva added: “With the vibrant framework of the Free Trade Agreement between India and Sri Lanka, the Indian construction equipment industry has tremendous potential for cooperation with Sri Lanka for supplying construction equipment and technology transfer. There will be a substantial cost advantage not only in sourcing equipment from India but also component sourcing and after market service.” Sector Partner, ICEMA – an affiliate body of the CII – will host a two-day conference on ‘Sustainable Infrastructure Development’ coinciding with EXCON 2013 on 21-22 November 2013. The conference will deliberate on key challenges in accelerating growth of infrastructure with thrust on sustainable development. The Builders Association of India (BAI) is a Supporting Partner of EXCON 2013, while the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce is the National Supporting Partner of EXCON 2013.