“MCCI has taken a great initiative to bridge the gap between users and providers in the Defence Sector and how the market forces are changing as well as the defence procurement.”-
Lt. Gen Rana Pratap Kalita, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command (HQ)
“66 B2B Meetings with top 5 Defence PSUs were held in the MCCI Defence Conclave 2022”, said Mr. Rishabh Kothari, President, MCCI
Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry organized its 2nd MCCI Defence Conclave 2022: Atmanirbhar Defence -Opportunities, Challenges and The Way Forward today at The Park, Kolkata.
Lt. Gen Rana Pratap Kalita, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command (HQ) addressed the Conclave as the Chief Guest.
While welcoming the guests, Mr. Rishabh Kothari, President, MCCI said that the Defence Conclave is an endeavor to develop long term synergies between the main producers of the Defence sector with industrial base in Eastern region. “We are happy to note that we have surpassed the target and utilized 65.50 per cent of Capital Acquisition Budget for the procurement of Defence equipment indigenously manufactured in India.”- mentioned by Mr. Kothari.
Lt. Gen Rana Pratap Kalita, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command (HQ) in his Inaugural Address said that Warfare is constantly changing; the military is trying to evolve with new technology globally. Lt. General Kalita further mentioned that in case of any future conflict, any nation has to fight alone, hence there is an urgent need to be self-reliant.
He invited industries to come forward and participate in Defence scetor which promises huge business opportunities.
While speaking on indigenization, Lt. General Kalita emphasized on the importance of critical technology such as Nano technology, AI, Machine learning, Robotics, Missile, Navigation technology. He further informed that 239 schemes with outlay 1.73 lacs crore have been introduced during 2014-2020 for defence indigenous manufacturers.
He announced that Eastern Command will organize Mini Defence Expo in Kolkata in the month of July. He went on to invite all industries to participate and showcase their products at the expo.
The Conclave was also addressed by Maj. General IS Rathore, Eastern Comand (HQ), Mr. Shekhar Chakravarty, CEO, Hooghly Cochin Shipyard, Ms. Madhumita Chakravarti, Director, CMSDS, DRDO, Mr. A Lahiri, Add. General Manager, HAL, Barrackpore Div., Ms. Hemavathy M, AGM-Strategic Planning, Bharat Electronics Limited, Mr. Harikumar R, General Manager- Technology Planning, Bharat Electronics Ltd, Mr. Harihar Das, DGM (VD & IEP), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd., and Mr. Sujoy Kumar Majee, Chief Manager (Outsourcing), HAL, Barrackpore Div.
The Guest speakers elucidated the business opportunities that their respective organizations have to offer for the participating industries. Over 150 industry delegates from across sectors, interacted with the defence production units at the Conclave.
The B2B session was attended by Eastern Command, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Barrackpore Division, Hooghly Cochin Shipyard, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited. 66 B2B Meetings were organized in the Defence Conclave, on 24th may 2022.
Mr. Lalit Beriwala, Senior Vice President, MCCI proposed the Vote of Thanks.
Source : MCCI Press Release
