Following the successful presence in Mumbai and Bangalore, your 2012 event in New Delhi was the logical step to extend and strengthen the platform for networking across India. What are your main expectations and how many exhibitors/visitors do you expect this year in New Delhi?

At Hannover Milano Fairs India (HMFI), our targets have always been to deliver new markets and new customers to our exhibitors. With the move to New Delhi, we prepare ourselves to enter a new business opportunity for our partners. This was a joint decision taken along with our exhibitors to enter one of the most potential industrial market place. From the experience of the last show in Greater Noida and considering the accessibility and popularity of the venue, we expect to project around 500+ exhibitors and attract more than 12000 industrial buyers during the 4 days.

What distinguishes your trade show from other and which highlights in the field of Automation Components and Factory Automation Systems may visitors anticipate?

Industrial Automation INDIA has been the International business platform in India in Automation industry. The expectations of the buyers have been innovation in the field and experience the international trends of automation systems, which have been consistently delivered at our shows. Brands like Festo, Beckhoff, P+F, Staubli, Cognex, Connectwell, Fieldbus Foundation, Schneider Electric are the few names of presenting their latest technologies. This year, too, through the technology and innovations on display would exceed the expectations of the industry and the visitors.

Why should German enterprises specialising in automation and control technologies exhibit at WIN INDIA?

The current manufacturing industry is looking forward to production and export of world class products. To achieve the quality considering the importance of cost control and production efficiency, the upgradation of the existing set up is almost mandatory. Germany has always been considered as one of the most efficient partner for Indian companies in providing automation solutions. Government policies to lift up the Micro, Small and Medium sector in manufacturing has further emphasised on the requirement of the latest automation technologies provides even more avenues for business for German enterprises especially in automation and control technologies.

What special events do you offer beyond the exhibition?

One of the major attractions in WIN INDIA would be the bionic display "Smart Bird" which would be displayed for the first time in India. This year too, we would have the leading companies as a part of Country Pavilions - Germany, Italy, China, Korea and Taiwan. Further, along with the exhibitions, we also organise Industrial Automation FORUM along with ZVEI focussing on latest trends on Automation technology. The FORUM is usually addressed by the leading speakers from the Automation industry.

What topics are of particular importance for the Indian market?

The Indian planning commission has confirmed that the Indian investment in Infrastructure will be tripled from the existing levels to US$ 1 trillion. The key sectors in expected to fuel the growth include Defence, Capital Goods, Aerospace, Retail, Electronics, Agriculture, Food and Beverages and Automobiles which form the core of the buyers visiting our exhibitions. One of the important focus areas has been Energy efficiency and cost control through low cost automation solutions.

In the fiscal year of 2012/13, the industrial sector in India grew to 3/1%, yet the growth is weaker, compared to 3.5% in the previous year. How do you evaluate this and what do you think are the reasons for the slight downward trend? In which market segment and industries do you see the greatest potential for investment?

Multiple reasons of global instability have led to the current downturn of events for the growth of the economy. However, with the good monsoon this year, the positive impact on important sectors of growth would follow. The Indian government has indicated the increase the manufacturing sectors contribution to the GDP from the existing 15% to 25% by 2022. Increasing competitiveness, technological advancement and automation would be the key factor for achieving the same.

In order to overcome the shortcomings in the infrastructure sector, the government sets up a gigantic infrastructure project: between Delhi and Mumbai a new high-speed rail for freight trains - "Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor" is to be built.

How far do you see perspective here for foreign investors?

The "Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor" provides multiple specific investment opportunities in creation, development and maintenance of specific industrial townships and logistic hubs, set up of railway infrastructure, ports and many more. Japan has committed to invest in the project through financial and technical assistance for the project. However, considering the scale of the project, the opportunities in partnering with the project is an attractive proposition.