bC India opens with 500+ exhibitors

The inaugural bC India exhibition has opened in Mumbai with more than 500 companies exhibiting, covering some 88000 m² of space. The show is a joint venture between Messe Muenchen Internationl (MMI), the organiser of the Bauma exhibition in Munich, Germany and Bauma China in Shanghai, and the US-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), which organises the ConExpo-Con/Agg event in Las Vegas, US.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, managing director of MMI, Eugen Egetenmeir said, "The show is performing really well, and with this level of participation we can say it is a real success."

He continued, "India is investing in many sectors in multiple industries. In the current 5-year plan to 2012, the country will invest US$ 500 billion in infrastructure. That will double to US$ 1 trillion in the next five-year plan period."

Bhagwan Deokar, president of partner trade association, the Builders' Association of India added, "We need technology in construction and technology in machinery to come to India so we can develop. India has consistently seen +8.5% to +9.5% GDP growth, and we need technology to continue that."

His sentiments were echoed by Dr Leopold-Theodor Heldman, consulate general of Germanyin Mumbai, who said, "India is growing at a rate that we've only seen before in China. There are many reasons to believe that will continue - demand is there, and as long as obstacles are not put in the way, India will become one of the largest economies in the world."