Saturday, May 05, 2012

Indian exhibition industry highlights infrastructure needs


News this week: The Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA) is calling on the national and state governments to grant the exhibition industry official status and operation under a single-widow system. The Business Standard reports a 10% annual growth rate for the Indian exhibition industry, which the IEIA feels a lack of infrastructure is hindering its growth.

Sanjeev Khaira, president of IEIA, was critical of the lack of and poor quality of infrastructure and MICE venues. He highlighted the economies of Germany, the U.S., Japan, France and the U.K. in relation to their large exhibition industries. The Indian Government’s 12th Five Year Plan is reportedly to include US$1 trillion of investments on roads, rail, ports, health, education and urban regeneration.

Khaira was also critical of the lack of upgrades to existing venues and new developments within the last five years. The IEIA is calling on the government to provide subsidies and incentives for the industry, along with the removal of duties charged on products and equipment displayed in exhibitions. According to the IEIA, there are currently about 23 approval processes required in Mumbai alone before an exhibition can be organised.

Mr. Khaira was quoted saying, “The infrastructure in Pragati Maidan in New Delhi and at Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai is in shambles. These centres have limitations to accommodate a large number of exhibitors and the visitors. However, the new centres that have come up in Bangalore and Noida are quite good but they are at least one hour away from the cities and therefore are inconvenient.”

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