CII SPACE EXPO CALLS FOR STRONG PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTICIPATION IN SPACE BUSINESS

CII Space Expo Attracts Business Delegation from 10 Countries

Bangalore, India, 25^th August 2010: A three-day international conference cum exhibition on space business Bengaluru Space Expo 2010, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), which began here today, underlined the importance of greater co-operation and interaction between the industry and Government in space related business with focus on inclusive growth.

The Bangalore Space Expo 2010 conference, which was attended by over 400 space scientists  from India and abroad along with the private sector sought to provide a common platform to the scientists, manufacturers and policy makers to share their experiences on the latest developments in space technology.

The Space Expo attracted business delegations from 10 countries including, UK, USA, Japan, Korea, Israel, Nigeria, Denmark, Thailand, France, Czech and Kazakhstan.

The Inaugural Session of the Conference was addressed by Dr K Radhakrishnan, Chairman, ISRO, H.E Prof. Mohammed Abubakar, Minister of Science and Technology,  Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr K R Sridhara Murthy, Managing Director, Antrix Corporation Ltd, Mr Vikram Kirloskar, Chairman, CII National Committee on Technology and Mr Rajive Kaul, Chairman, CII Trade Fairs Council.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Radhakrishnan, ISRO Chairman, highlighted the contribution made by space technology,  particularly emphasized upon the commercialization of space technology for inclusive growth. He said the achievements of ISRO had impacted the society effectively though this would not have been possible without the contribution from the private sector.

In fact, he said, over 500 companies from the small, medium and large sectors were currently involved in the series of launches that ISRO had undertaken over the years, to the mutual satisfaction of all parties. While acknowledging industry’s support to the country’s space programme, he stated that much remained to be done  in consideration of the speed with which space technology was advancing in the country.

Accordingly, he said for the Indian space sector to remain in the frontline, the industry would have to become a risk bearing partner. This would raise the overall level of quality besides proving mutually beneficial.  In this context, the industry would also do well to look at high technology sectors in line with ISRO’s growing demand for the latest  know -how.

In his special address, H.E Prof. Mohammed Abubakar, Minister of Science and Technology, Federal Republic of Nigeria referred to the space programme that his country was undertaking which would ultimately lead to a better life for his countrymen and bring about inclusive growth.

Mr Vikram Kirloskar, Chairman, CII National Committee on Technology highlighted the need to put a major thrust on increasing the industry’s investment in R & D.  Collaboration with public funded research institutions, he said, would be the key to such endeavour and the CII would be happy to work with ISRO and Antrix.

Mr Rajive Kaul, Chairman, CII Trade Fairs Council referred to the Indian space programme which ran into billions of dollars. This also indicated the worth of the private sector in India and its contribution to this programme. The current collaboration had the potential to grow even further increasing the need for commercializing more products and technologies for the benefit of the nation.

From the industry’s perspective, he said the BSX 2010 aimed to showcase capabilities and identify opportunities for Indian and international space sector. The objective was to establish long term ties to serve the Indian space security, defence and development requirements. This could be done by exploring prospects and opportunities  for individual collaboration, international R & D   not to mention discussions on Indian and international approaches  to government-industry partnerships.

Mr Sridhara Murthy, Managing Director, Antrix Corporation, spoke about how space could reach out to the various sectors and benefit the markets. As space markets were growing, related technologies were getting assimilated. Economies of scale in this context, assumed importance in enhancing competitiveness.

Reiterating the role of the private sector in this regard, he hailed the contribution made so far by the industry while pointing out greater opportunities that were coming up even as the importance of developing low cost technologies increased.  The role of the private sector, he said, in realizing this goal could not be undermined.

Earlier, Dr Radhakrishnan formally inaugurated the Bengaluru Space Expo, the first of its kind in Asia which featured the participation of global players in space, satellites and related technologies.  The 3-Day expo will be open till 28^th August at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), Bangalore.