Auto Expo races off to a flying start

Minister of commerce and industry Kamal Nath, while inaugurating the event, said the auto industry is on the fastest track of growth, reports Deshbandhu Singh.

The 8th Auto Expo 2006 got off to a flying start at the Pragati Maidan on Thursday.

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Minister of commerce and industry Kamal Nath, while inaugurating the event, said that just two decades ago, who would have believed that Pragati Maidan would fall short of space due to so much participation in the Auto Expo.

"India is not only the fastest growing economy in the world, but this is the economy with largest numbers of young population who are potential buyers of autos as compared to much older population of the US, EU and Japan," he said, adding, "The automobile industry indicates the changing face of the economy in India. It plays very important role in high technology growth and employment generation."

He further said that it is interesting to note that while "General Motors (GM) was getting rid of thousands of employees in the US, we in India are creating thousands of jobs in automobile industry".

While human skill reservoir is depleting in the world, in India it is growing, he stated. Quoting a study, the minister said that automobile industry is on the fastest track of growth of the software industry.

Minister of state for information communication, heavy industries and public enterprises Santosh Mohan Dev who was to be the guest of honour could not make it to the inaugural function.

CII president YC Deveshawr said that the Expo provides a platform to showcase excellent opportunities for the manufacturers and buyers alike.