Aiming to expand and strengthen the presence of the Indian automobile industry in neighbouring countries, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) held the first-ever Indo-Bangla Automotive Show in Dhaka during February 2-4. The show had participation from leading automobile manufacturers from both India and Bangladesh, opening new horizons for expanding bilateral relations between the two countries.
Along with the stalwarts of the automobile industry of both the countries, the event was attended by senior Government officials, bureaucrats and key decision makers, as well as Mr. Md. Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Senior Secretary, Bangladesh Ministry of Industries, and Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla said: “Make in India was helpful to attract investment in India. The Indian automobile industry has the necessary capacity and expertise to share and ‘Make with Bangladesh’. A number of Indian automobile manufacturers have already set up automobile plants in Bangladesh and others are in the process of establishing their presence here.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Abdul Matlub Ahmad, President, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), said: “This is one of the best days for the Bangladesh automotive industry as today India is displaying its auto industry’s capabilities which have evolved as one of the best and most appropriate for markets like Bangladesh. Indian manufacturers follow JIT (Just in time) policy.”
The Special Guest at the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Md. Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan said: “Our Government now is taking keen interest in having a policy which will encourage our entrepreneurs to not only assemble but also manufacture. We will work on development of the policy.”
In his welcome address, Mr. Ravi Pisharody, Vice President, SIAM, and Executive Director – Commercial Vehicles, Tata Motors, said that SIAM is also organising a workshop later in the day where experts and industry executives from India would share different aspects of the learnings that Bangladesh may like to use in their journey to develop a robust automotive manufacturing industry, terming it as a path breaking opportunity for both the countries.
Addressing the audience, Mr. Vinod K. Dasari, SIAM President, and Managing Director, Ashok Leyland, said: “As a next door neighbour Bangladesh occupies a very special place in our heart and assured that India will extend whole-hearted support to help develop the automotive industry in Bangladesh, including development of critical safety regulations like the Bus Body & Truck Body Code to reduce accidents”.
He also announced inauguration of Ashok Leyland manufacturing plant in Bangladesh later in the day.
While throwing open the show to the public, the Chief Guest, Mr. Obaidul Quader, Bangladesh Minister of Road Transport & Bridges, complimented the organisers for taking this unique initiative and wished it all success”.
At the inaugural function, SIAM signed MoUs with two premier Bangladeshi auto associations – Bangladesh Motorcycle Assemblers & Manufacturers Association’ (BMAMA) and the ‘Bangladesh Automobile Assemblers & Manufacturers Association’ (BAAMA).
Leading Indian and Bangladeshi automobile manufacturers like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Eicher Trucks and Buses, Mahindra & Mahindra, SML Isuzu, Maruti-Suzuki, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto, Honda Motorcycles, Runner Automobiles, TVS Motors and Yamaha, and the Bangladeshi partners like ACI Motors, Bangladesh Honda, Ifad Autos, Karnaphuli, Niloy Motors, Nitol Motors, Rancon Motors, Rangs Motors, Runner Motors, TVS Auto Bangladesh and Uttara Motors presented their latest offerings at the show.
The show was intended not only to showcase the world-class offerings from the Indian automobile manufacturers, but also to develop a thriving automobile manufacturing industry in Dhaka.