Gandhinagar

Gujarat Chief Minister Mrs. Anandiben Patel inaugurated world’s largest stainless steel exhibition and art-festival by lighting-up a lamp at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar here, today. Union Minister for mines, steel and labour-employment Mr. Narendra Singh Tomar was also present on the occasion.

This four-day long stainless steel exhibition and art-festival will remain open for the citizens till January 27, 2015. The exhibition and art festival are consisting of more than 1,000 stalls and have attracted participation from 50 international exhibitors. During this four-day long event many steel-business meetings will also be held at the Mahatma Mandir.

Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Patel said, “Recently, Vibrant Gujarat Summit – 2015 was held at the same venue. Through this Summit, Gujarat and India have given a new definition of development to the world. As many as eight developed countries had partnered the Summit. Fourteen nations had organised ‘Country Seminar’ in the event. In the Summit, for the first time a ‘Global CEO Conclave’ was also organised. The Summit was attended by 25,000 delegates. It had provided an opportunity for ‘Knowledge Sharing’. And now, holding the world level stainless steel exhibition and art festival in Gujarat is giving me an immense pleasure.”

Though Gujarat is not producing iron-ore, yet, Gujarati business community has attained a leading position in country’s steel production through its business spirit and trade etiquettes. India is the 4th largest steel producing nation in the world, and it is a pride for us, the Chief Minister said.

A good time has come for steel industry of India Mrs. Patel said and added that the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has taken a spate of firm steps to make India as the Global Hub for Industry.

The Prime Minister has envisaged a dream of ‘Steel India’, ‘Digital India’, ‘Skill India’, ‘Make in India’, and ‘Clean India’. This has generated a sentiment “To Come to India and Invest in India” in the minds of people across the world.

The Prime Minister has emphasised on ‘Zero Effect, Zero Defect’, the Chief Minister said and added that “quality maintenance” is very essential to sustain in the world market. Always, good quality can be obtained only through skilled workers. Therefore to provide skilled labourers to the industries, the Gujarat Government, through PPP model, has set up ‘Centre for Excellence’ in ITI and engineering colleges of the state. Soon, the state government would announce ‘Labour Reforms’ to protect labourers and to encourage industries.

The Chief Minister further stated that small and medium enterprises have made a noticeable contribution in industrial development of the state. Gujarat government, through implementation of its new industrial policy, has been successful in attracting industrialists for a balance industrial development in the state. As many as 21,000 MoUs were signed in the Vibrant Summit. Of which over 17,000 MoUs were signed in the SMEs sector.

Mrs. Patel had also appealed to the leading industrialists of steel world and owners to join the Bharat Swachhta Abhiyaan of the Prime Minister. Either, you should make a contribution, as per your wishes, towards the Chief Minister’s Swachhta Nidhi fund or adopt a village or street, she further pleaded.

Speaking on the occasion, praising the contributions made by Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel in India’s freedom movement, Mr. Tomar said, “Since freedom era Gujarat has provided a strong and right-path leadership to the nation. The Prime Minister’s slogan ‘Make in India’ is encouraging the small industrialists to make it a reality!”

He further stated that mining is very essential for increasing the production of the steel. The country has the capacity to produce 101 million tonnes of steel however presently we are producing only 81 million tonnes. Similarly, production of stainless steel is just 3.3 million against the capacity of 5.3 million.

To increase the production, it is very essential to amend few laws and government’s policy, he said and then assuring the industrialists, he further added that soon the necessary measures would be taken in this direction.

Those who spoke on the occasion included, Mr. N. C. Mathur, President of Indian Stainless Steel Development Association, Mr. Vijay Sharma, Vice President of Jindal Company, Mr. Markus Moll, MD of SMR (Austria), Mr. Devjibhai Patel, a member of parliament, Mr. Austin Lu (President, Stainless APAC) and others.

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