Mumbai, June 16 (IANS): With the objective to develop the Indian chemical and petrochemical industry, enhance foreign trade as well as the "Swachh Bharat" campaign, the 9th edition of the mega "India Chem 2016" will take place September 1-3 at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Ananth Kumar said on Thursday.
The event will be jointly organised by Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals of the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, along with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Ficci).
"Chemicals and petrochemical industry holds a significant place in the overall economic growth of the country. It provides the foundation for the growth of other industries such as fertilizers, pharma, agriculture to name a few. Hence it is imperative for us to ensure the growth of the chemical sector through setting targets and producing reports," Ananth Kumar said at the launch function here.
"Government has taken concrete actions in the direction and has invested $50 billion in the sector so far. Government has been working relentlessly to tackle challenges faced by the chemical industry such as clearances from environment ministry, infrastructural issues and lack of human resources and has proposed to set up specialised chemical engineering and technology institutes in the country," he added.
Chemicals and Petrochemicals Secretary Anuj Kumar Bishnoi, Joint Secretary Samir Kumar Biswas, CHEMEXCIL Chairman B.R. Gaikwad, Ficci Chemicals Committee chairman Deepak Mehta, whoc is Vice Chairman and MD of Deepak Nitrite Ltd, and more than 150 industry representatives were also present.
The minister has already sent the invitation to his counterparts in 37 countries to lead the delegation. With the support of the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, strong efforts will be made to encourage manufacturing in the sector at India Chem 2016, an official statement said.
While Gujarat, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh will participate as the partner states, more than 15 countries are expected to participate at India Chem 2016. Large participation of small scale industries through MSME is also expected apart from the participation of the companies from process technology, pumps and valves with the support of the Department of Heavy Industries, the statement added.