Hamburg, Dec. 11, 2012 - ASIA TODAY - With a multi-faceted programme and plenty of innovative technology, SMM India will welcome visitors to Mumbai from 4 to 6 April 2013. India’s maritime industry has ambitious goals. Show exhibitors are looking forward to the networking opportunity and positive business impact.
SMM India
With 5,500 kilometres of coastline, competitive labour costs, a solid workforce of well-trained engineers and one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, India is in an excellent position to become one of the leading shipbuilding nations of the world. According to Clarkson Research Services (as at 31 October), India currently ranks fifth in the world-wide orderbook, with 150 newbuilding orders, trailing the “Big Three” (China, South Korea and Japan) as well as Brazil. But the nation aspires to more.
Vigorous Growth
By 2015 the Indian shipbuilding and ship repair industry wants to increase sales to 92 billion rupees (about US$1.75 bn.), from the current 73.1 bn. rupees. This would be equivalent to an impressive eight per cent annual growth rate, which is what The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) forecasts in its current study, “Shipbuilding Industry in India: An Overview”. The study concludes that the amount of goods passing through India’s major ports will more than double over the next three years. This will bring new opportunities to the maritime industry of the subcontinent: Apart from bulk carriers, specialised ships such as offshore supply vessels are moving into focus. In addition, orders from the Indian navy and coast guard have been boosting demand.
SMM India, the international maritime trade fair mumbai, is a central forum for the industry. An international subsidiary of SMM, the leading international maritime trade fair based in Hamburg, SMM India is today one of the foremost industry events in South Asia. It will be held for the third time in 2013, running from 4 to 6 April. The venue of SMM India will be at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Hall V, in Mumbai.
Country pavilions: 14 December registration deadline for German exhibitors
“Ever since SMM India took place for the first time in 2009, the German pavilion has been a singular point of attraction for visitors,” says Peter Bergleiter, Business Unit Director at Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC). “We are excited to see the number of country pavilions increasing steadily, a fact that testifies to the growing interest of international companies in this promising market.” Country pavilions provide an opportunity to shipbuilders, suppliers and other companies from Germany, Denmark, China and Finland to showcase their most recent developments. The registration deadline for participation in the German pavilion is 14 December. Interested companies will benefit from the strong stance of the “Made in Germany” brand along with low-cost, effective, highly appealing booths, a variety of services and numerous other opportunities, such as a formal reception hosted by the Mumbai German Consulate General, personal on-site assistance, market information and support from the German Engineering Federation, VDMA.
The industry exposition will be supplemented by a special events programme featuring high-level industry representatives. For example, a series of lectures will be presented an the first exposition day, followed by a festive reception. On the second day of the fair, Vice Admiral (retd.) P.C. Bhasin, Chairman of the Defence Council of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, will host a workshop on the Indian naval and shipbuilding Programme. The former Chief of Material of the Indian navy enjoys an excellent reputation as an expert in the maritime military world.
Co-operation with National Maritime Week
One particular highlight will be the first-ever integration of two key industry events, SMM India and National Maritime Week. SMM India will open conjointly with National Maritime Week in the presence of numerous top-flight guests. A colourful programme with festive receptions and comprehensive services will await both exhibitors and industry visitors. “To us this cooperation is something very special. Both events will be celebrating an anniversary: While we hosted the first-ever SMM in Hamburg in 1963, the same year saw India’s first-ever National Maritime Week,” says Bernd Aufderheide, President and CEO of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC). For exhibitors, the partnership of two leading trade events translates to even better opportunities of establishing a lasting presence in the growth market that is India.
“SMM is the leading international forum of the maritime industry, and we look forward to enjoying a successful cooperation with this major maritime event“, said Dr Satish B. Agnihotri, Chairman, National Maritime Day Celebrations (Central) Committee.
S. Hajara, Chairman & Managing Director, The Shipping Corporation of India, agreed: “SMM India offers a common platform for users and suppliers of marine technology and equipment in a plausible manner.”
For further information please visit www.smm-india.com.
Contact:
Esther Scholz
Tel.: +49 40 3569 2453
Fax: +49 40 3569 2449
E-mail: esther.scholz@hamburg-messe.de