FTAPCCI, celebrates 100 years of service in promoting trade, commerce and industry

Hyderabad, December 21, 2016: FTAPCCI, The Federation of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, which is regarded as one of the oldest industrial bodies in India, to celebrate its Annual Day and Centenary Celebrations here in city at HICC on 23rd December.

Hon’ble President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee will grace as the Chief Guest and Hon’ble Governor Shri ESL Narasimhan as the Guest of Honour.

Over 1000 guests, industry captains, policy makers, bureaucrats, its members, government officials are expected to grace the celebrations.

The apex body representing the interests of Industry, Trade & Commerce in both of the States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh came into existence in the year 1917.

"A thousand mile journey begins with the first step. FTAPCCI too started its first step a hundred years ago", informed its President Shri Ravindra Modi, addressing a curtain raiser press conference at FAPCCI in Red Hills today.

The Federation over 100years played a key role in promoting trade, commerce, and industry, Sri Ravindra Modi added.

100 years are over. Coming 100years are important. We will unveil our mission and vision for next hundred years on December 23rd, Ravindra Modi informed.

Speaking further he added that we are planning to be a knowledge chamber he told. We will get into industry data collection, analysis and research sectoral industry wise.

Another important area FTAPCCI embarked upon is Intellectual Property Rights(IPR). We will set up an IPR Center to protect Intellectual Property Right of the companies. We also be setting up Alternative Dispute Resolution Center(ADR). We will also set up an Incubation Centet. We have applied to government for necessary clearances, Ravindra Modi informed.

“100years is a long journey for any organization. It is not historical, but able to connect even after 100years. It is not a just great thing to survive, as well get going and going strong ‘"Shatak Shatak Pragati’ for next 100years", informed Anil Reddy Vennam, Immediate Past President, and Chairman Centenary Committee.

At 100, FTAPCCI is still young and going great guns, Anil Reddy added quickly.

Four time Presidents of India have graced FTAPCCI function, which is probably a very rare honour, Anil Reddy added.

The curtain raiser press conference also graced among others by Gowra Srinivas, Senior Vice President and Arun Luharuka, Vice President.

The Celebrations kick started in last July and conclude in July 2017. It branded its milestone journey as ‘Shatak Shatak Pragati, and logo is uniquely designed depicting 100 by two wheels.

A unique film "Shatak Shatak Pragati" is produced to highlight the 100 glorious years of incessant empowerment of Industry, Trade, and Commerce. Shri Pranab Mukherjee will unveil the film on 23 rd December.

Since there is no clarity about which date in December 1917 FTAPCCI formed, the Federation plans to celebrate December 23 as its Annual Day every year from now onwards.

FTAPCCI constitutes of large, medium, small industries, traders, professionals. It has about 3500 direct members. 160 trade and industrial associations are also its members. It is expanding its indirect membership to 25000, making it one of the biggest Federations, perhaps in the country.

It took birth in those days few businessmen like Raja Parmandass, Dewan Bahadur Ramgopal, Sri Hormusji who though it fit form a Chamber of Commerce for Hyderabad. They named it Hyderabad (Deccan) Chamber of Commerce. The first President of the Chamber was Sri Parmandass. The Chamber was trade-oriented in the beginning, the industry being in infancy at that time.

However in the late 1930s Vazir Sultan Tobacco Co. Ltd., (1938), Azamjahi Mills Ltd., (1939), Indian Home Pipe Company (1944), National Food Products (1944), Sirpur Paper Mills (1944), Nizam Sugar Factory (1944), Hyderabad Chemical & Pharmaceuticals (1951), Hyderabad Potteries (1952) joined as industry members.

In its initial days, the meeting held in the house of Sri Mukundas Bhagwandas who was President from 1918 to 1927.

The chamber represented on the Customs Tariff Committee in 1921; Cantonment Committee, Residency Bazar Committee in 1924 and Railway Advisory Council in 1926, etc. and others.

The year 1956 saw the formation of Andhra Pradesh, and in the year 1958, the chamber rechristened as ‘The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The chamber is now called The Federation of Telangana & Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry(FTAPCCI) after the bifurcation of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh into Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Today FTAPCCI is the name to reckon in the industrial world across the globe.

With the formation of two States, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, FTAPCCI is playing a vital role in development of industrial sector in both the States. The documents released by FTAPCCI on Socio-Economic Vision were well received by respective governments.

FTAPCCI has put in consistent efforts to foster trade and investment. A good number of suggestions and proposals put forth by FTAPCCI received due consideration the state. FTAPCCI is always taken into confidence while formulating and announcing the industrial policies of both the States.

Testimony of the Federation’s conscious decision to represent trade and industry in both the States is the opening of the FTAPCCI office in Vijayawada on 3rd July 2015. Further to reach the grass root levels, FTAPCCI has appointed District Coordinators in both the States to understand and analyze the various problems/issues that are a hindrance to the industrial and economic growth of the Districts and bring them to the notice of the government.

FTAPCCI has initiated meaningful relationships with Universities/ Educational Institutions by bonding strong linkages between industry and academic institutions.
It is also supervising and managing nine government ITIs in the implementation of skill development programs and working closely with the government in placing them at suitable jobs.

It believes in building an ecosystem and encouraging the start-ups. It is planning to open an incubation center, where existing member will provide a hand-holding support. Extend their guidance and share their experiences with start-ups.

Forging bonds, building relations ships between countries has always been its priority. It played a vital role in furthering trade relations between various countries. It facilitates interactions between its members and foreign delegations. It also invites foreign delegations to the Chamber for discussions, and deliberations on trade and investment opportunities and takes delegations to other countries to help members in finding new markets and new investment avenues.

FTAPCCI’s continuous efforts and pursuance with the Government has resulted in having the Office of Regional Directorate known as South Eastern Region of Ministry of Corporate Affairs at Hyderabad and also made efforts in setting up of a Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) in Hyderabad.