With two exclusive events scheduled at the gateway to eastern India, all industrial roads lead to Kolkata post the Diwali fervour, to witness a grand celebration of Industrial & Engineering products and technologies

Kolkata will play host to ENGEETECH - the 1st International Engineering, Industrial Products & Machinery Expo & Symposium - a comprehensive trade show on engineering industry, scheduled from 18 to 21 November 2010, at the Science City Grounds, Kolkata. Organised by IPFonline Limited, publishers of Industrial Products Finder, and ASK Trade & Exhibition Pvt Ltd, the maiden event of this new initiative has attracted participation from over 150 companies from 30 cities across India, and is all set to be the largest event of its kind in Eastern India. There is also a concurrent event, BACE Expo & Symposium - the 4th International Building, Architecture, Construction, Engineering Technology Trade Show, planned simultaneously. Over 80 exhibitors have confirmed to participate at BACE Expo, Kolkata.

Any mention of West Bengal and industry in the same breath is likely to raise eyebrows; such is the level of perception among many, and with some justification. But perceptions can be misleading, especially when checked against facts on the ground. A recent ASSOCHAM study indicates that the State's business confidence index is at a more-than-satisfactory 6.5 on a scale of 10. The study was conducted among 280 chief executive officers and managing directors and over 225 respondents opined that the State can be rated on par with favourite investment destinations like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. So contrary to popular perception, perhaps reinforced due to the forced withdrawal of Tata Motors from the Nano project at Shingur, West Bengal is still an attractive destination for industrial investments. Obviously, this is a sentiment shared by the companies that have confirmed participation, and the many organisations that are supporting the event.

IDEAS Seminar - 19th November 2010

BACE Conclave - 19th November 2010

The foremost among these is the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a 157-year-old venerable institution, also the first business chamber in this part of the world, and an honoured "West Bengal Organising Partner" for Engeetech exhibition. "Engeetech is a concerted effort by Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry and IPFonline to promote intra country trade and commerce, particularly for the development of the MSME sector. Today domestic demand is driving India's economic growth and Engeetech is a growth driver from both the demand as well as the supply side, not only for the State of West Bengal, but for the entire country," commented P Roy, Director General, BCCI.

This is a view shared by B G Roy, Regional Director, Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, the largest Chamber of Commerce in India. "Engeetech provides an excellent platform for sourcing business opportunities of worldwide industrial products in India. We compliment the organiser for choosing Kolkata as a location to hold such a mega event in the Engineering sector. I wish Engeetech all success," said B G Roy, Regional Director, Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, lending the chamber's support to this exhibition.

Yet another organisation to lend its support is the Kolkata based Oriental Chamber of Commerce, whose membership comprises mainly of exporting firms, and leather and tea processing companies. "Engeetech is a landmark tradeshow for Engineering and Industrial goods, bringing buyers and sellers from a cross the country on a single platform. Kolkata is a great centre of commercial activity and therefore this tradeshow can play an important role in promoting trade and industry of the city and the region and also inspire them to rededicate themselves for the economic progress of the country. The Oriental Chamber of Commerce is proud to be supporting IPFonline Limited in this august initiative," said K M Salam, Sr Executive/Acting Secretary, Oriental Chamber of Commerce.

Explaining the rationale for launching the Trade Fairs Division, Linus Lobo, Chief Operations Officer, IPFonline Limited, dwells on the company's past. "In continuation of our role, for the past 39 years, of acting as a bridge between Manufacturers and Buyers, Suppliers, and Consumers through the print medium of Industrial Products Finder, and later through www.ipfonline.com, we have now embarked on an extended mission to bring manufacturers to your door step through our maiden tradeshow ENGEETECH Expo & Symposium," says Mr Lobo, in a message to all the participating companies.

Speaking about BACE, Nandagopal K, Director, ASK Trade & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd, has this to say: "In a constantly changing world, there are constant innovations in the materials used as well as in the methods adopted in the Building and Construction industry.

In an effort to keep you updated on the latest innovations and provide you with options to source from multiple suppliers, we have embarked on a mission to bring Manufacturers, Suppliers, and Service Providers to your door step through BACE Expo & Symposium."

The West Bengal Government on its part is also keen to promote industries in the State, well aware of the fact that agriculture alone, which is the mainstay of the economy, is not going to answer the aspirations of the people. In fact two important ministries connected with the industry have been very appreciative of this initiative. Nirupam Sen, Industries Minister, and Manabendra Mukherjee, Minister for Tourism, MSME Industries and Textiles, have confirmed their presence for the inauguration of Engeetech Kolkata, on November 18, 2010.

Delegation from Bangladesh

So pervasive is the enthusiasm for Engeetech that it has crossed the border and attracted attention of businesses from Bangladesh as well. A 45-member strong Bangladesh buyer delegation has confirmed to visit and explore the opportunities for sourcing products from India during ENGEETECH. This delegation comprises members of two apex trade bodies of that country - Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners Association (BEIOA) and Bangladesh Electrical Merchandise Manufacturers Association (BEMMA). Their visit is mainly to look at the products and new technology on display at the show as well as to source their needs. The members of the delegation will be interacting with the participants of the expo and also will be taking part in the "Buyer Seller Meet" being organised by the Engineering Export Promotion Council of India (EEPC), yet another organisation supporting Engeetech. EEPC India, an organisation set up by the Union Ministry for Commerce, exclusively for export promotion of engineering goods, projects and services from India, is making efforts to locate the exporters from all parts of India whose products are of interest to the delegation to source from. The exporters will interact individually with each buyer exploring the exporting prospects. With relations between the two countries at their best in recent years, ENGEETECH thus will act not only as a platform for the sourcing needs of the regional market but also for the export market. Senior officials of EEPC will also be interacting with the buyers explaining to them the strengths of Indian products and the process and procedures of importing from India and In turn understand their needs and help them to source better from India.

Concurrent to promoting B2B business, ENGEETECH would host IDEAS - bringing together innovation, design, entrepreneurship, and articulation - aiming to be a knowledge-sharing symposium.

IDEAS has been conceived to provide technical direction for the future of Production, Technology, and Entrepreneurship. Then there is the BACE Conclave, a forum for Building and Construction Industry professionals that aims to provide an opportunity to manufacturers to showcase their latest offerings to a highly focussed audience. In conclusion, it must be said that tradeshows continue to be the most effective platform for business networking, launching products, identifying vendors/distributors, showcasing latest technology, and demonstrating live product/machine capabilities.

ENGEETECH will be no exception. The organisers are making every effort to make these two events a grand success, providing a unique experience to both visitors and participants. Focused visitor promotion efforts are planned. These include event-specific newsletters, business visitor invitations, email campaign, mobile hoardings, and print and electronic advertisements, to ensure high decibel visibility to the event.

FAST FACTS

Show Timings: 10.30 am to 7.00 pm
Entry: Free For Business Visitors Only
Online Registration at: www.ipftradefairs.com
Organised by: IPFonline Ltd & ASK Trade & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd

(For registration and Seminar details, please call +91 98454 00547. Email: nandagopal@asktradex.com Register online by logging on to: www.engeetechkolkata. ipftradefairs.com/ideas-seminar)