SEMINAR on industry-trade relations

Ludhiana, March 21, 2013: Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA) organised a seminar on `Industry - Trade Relations’ here on Thursday evening.

This power packed session began with Anirudh V Dhoot, President - CEAMA and Director - Videocon felicitating the Chief Guest Rahul Tiwari, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana.

Among others, K. S. Raman, Past President, CEAMA, Ravinder Zutshi, Deputy Managing Director, Samsung India Electronics, Eric Braganza, President, Haier Appliances India, Mahesh Krishnan, Senior Vice President, Samsung India Electronics, Rajeev Jain, Business Head – Home Appliances, LG Electronics, S. K. Jain, Vice President, Mirc Electronics and Sarthak Seth, Head, Marketing of Panasonic were present.

Speakers said the industry of electronic appliances has attained a substantial growth and now has an annual turnover of Rs. 45,000 crores. The Home Appliances and Consumer Electronics sector has witnessed a rapid growth over the last few years. The recent economic slowdown has however hindered the rapid growth of the industry. Facing turbulence is the CRT TV Segment, which is witnessing negative growth of over 20%. The growth of Flat Panel TVs has also reduced to about 15%. In 2012, the Flat panel TV market reached 5.5 million and is expected to reach 7.0 million in 2013. Similarly, the Refrigerator market is expected to cross 12 million in 2013 in comparison to the current figure of about 11 million, Air Conditioner market is expected to reach about 5 million in 2013. To make television-viewing possible in various regions, CEAMA members have planned production of 30 million Set Top Boxes in the country, keeping in mind the requirement of 60 million STBs by the next financial year.

They said as the Centre is encouraging the setting up of EMCs (Electronic Manufacturing Clusters), CEAMA is eager to join hands with Punjab Government for establishing at least one EMC in the state. According to CEAMA an allotment of minimum 100 acres of land for the purpose would be required.

A remarkable growth in the electronic industry can possibly be brought about with measures by Punjab Government like reimbursement of stamp duty, 5 years’ power subsidy from the date when commercial operations begins, and an investment subsidy of 25% which will remain limited to Rs.50 lakhs for the purpose of establishing Electronic Hardware Units. For technological up-gradation a subsidy of 10% on new capital requirements would be helpful.

According to Anirudh V Dhoot, President - CEAMA and Director - Videocon, “Trade, being the interface between the consumer & Industry, has an important role in healthy growth of the sector. It is important for a healthy growth that the industry is more and more consumer oriented, working in tandem with the trade partners”. He further added stating “CEAMA has been working with all stakeholders, particularly with the Government, both at the Centre as well as States to ensure that issues affecting growth are resolved. CEAMA has been working with the Government in the Energy Efficiency (Star Rating) programme, implementation of Waste of Electronic & Electric Equipment and Digitalisation of Cable TV network. We hope that Goods and Services Tax (GST) would be implemented soon and the tax system is made simpler and transparent so that the honest tax payer is not hassled.”

K. S. Raman made a presentation on the emerging retail scenario in the globalised environment, Mahesh Krishnan made a presentation on the best Industry Practices, Sidharth Bedi spoke about Industry & Trade working to-gather for growth of the sector and Rajesh Bhat spoke about the technological changes taking place in Consumer Electronics Sector.

The event was attended by the industry leaders, trade partners of Punjab and senior state government officials.