5th January 2010
Dear Friends,
Let me start with thanking all of you for reposing your confidence in me as I take over as the Chairman of your council for the next two years.
The last two years have been very difficult particularly for exporters. Nimeshbhai leaves behind a period where the Indian exporter had to face one of his most traumatic phases of his life. As I now step into his shoes I have my task cut out. I will try my best to fill in the void.
At 3.6 billion dollars Plastics exports are a small proportion of the countries exports. Of this the major chunk comes from Raw material representing nearly 50 % of our exports. I strongly feel that India’s future is in Value added exports. At a nominal value addition of USD 500 per ton the potential is huge We need to process and export plastics and at world class facilities. Some classic successful examples of this in the Indian plastics Industry are Flexible packaging, PET Films, FIBCs and Engineering components amongst others. Here we make world class products, export to the most advanced nations and have developed a Brand Image for our country which is truly world class. To take this forward we need to bring in higher volumes, spread the product base and encourage the marginal exporter to come into the mainstream. It shall be my effort to make Plexconcil a facilitator in this direction.
The Indian manufacturing Industry needs to invest in capacity, modern machinery and good manufacturing practises. We can then be ready for the future which is there for our taking. We have to realise our true potential as a Nation and become more aggressive in our export marketing efforts. Let us leave a legacy for our children which we are truly proud off.
To start with I plan to begin some new initiatives.
• We have decided to review the whole gamut of trade fair participation where we propose to have an Indian pavilion in relevant trade fairs with world class construction to attract visitors to our pavilion and initiate dialogue with participating members. Mr Jaswanth of our Chennai Office has been appointed as the nodal officer to handle this matter and the expertise of my fellow Committee member Mr Pradip Thakkar (who has successfully arranged similar pavillions for the Composite sector in France & Singapore) will be available to take this task forward.
• I plan to initiate a dialogue with the Government where exporters in the plastics sector get the same incentives that are available to Apparels, textiles and leather exporters. If them why not us !
• I wish to strengthen the Delhi office by appointing an additional officer to help and support the existing secretariat. It will not only increase the interaction with the government but ease the pressure off some of the other centres.
• We will revive holding of export promotion seminars in various regions of the country. It is felt that we need to go deeper into the country and look at non conventional centres for export promotion. At least two such seminars in each region are planned in 2010 for which the regional committees will take the responsibility of organising them.
Friends I have been an eternal optimist. I continue to believe and have faith in the ability of the Indian entrepreneur to reach the sky. Let us put our hands together to reach this goal. I also invite any or all of you to freely write to me with suggestions, ideas and proposals which will by my pleasure to address.
As I sign of my first communication to all of you I am reminded of Peter Drucker who always remains a personal favourite of mine.
“You can be whatever you want to be if you want it badly enough. Determine something and you will be something. I CANNOT has never accomplished anything. I CAN has worked wonders.”
Wishing you and the family a happy and prosperous New Year. May the year 2010 give you the rewards which will make you forget the travails of 2009 !
Happy Exporting !
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