SIAM inaugurates 1st ever Indo- Bangla Automotive Show in Dhaka, Bangladesh

The show will provide vast opportunities for the automotive industry in India and Bangladesh

Dhaka, 2nd February, 2017: Aiming to expand and strengthen the presence of Indian automobile industry in neighbouring countries, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) inaugurated the first-ever Indo-Bangla Automotive Show here today. The three-day fair opened today for General Public from 2-4 February 2017, from 1030 am – 0730 pm daily. The show will see participation from leading automobile manufacturers from both India & Bangladesh and new horizons for expanding business will be explored by both the countries.

Along with the stalwarts of automobile industries of both the countries, the event was also attended by senior government officials, bureaucrats and key decision makers. Mr. Md. Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Industries, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, along with H.E. Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh.

Addressing the gathering, H.E. Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, said “Make in India was helpful to attract investment in India. Indian automobile industry has the necessary capacity and expertise to share and ‘Make with Bangladesh’. A number of Indian automobile manufacturers companies have already set up automobile plants in Bangladesh and others are in the process of establishing their presence here.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Abdul Matlub Ahmad, President, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), said, “This is one of the best days for the Bangladesh automotive industry as today India is displaying its auto industry’s capabilities which have evolved as one of the best and most appropriate for markets like Bangladesh. Indian manufacturers follow JIT (Just in time) policy. We have had many auto shows but we are having Indo-Bangla show for the first time. India is giving its advantages and capabilities to Bangladesh. Bangladesh has the calibre and India has the capacity, he added. Bangladeshi customer wants value for money and Indian manufacturers provides quality & value. This show is very important for Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to interact with Indian manufacturers and join hands with them and bring Indian technology to Bangladesh”.

Special Guest of the Inauguration ceremony Md. Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Industries, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh said “Our government now is taking keen interest in having a policy which will encourage our entrepreneurs to not only assemble but also manufacture, we will work on development of the policy. We look forward for SIAM’s advice on the development of policy. Development of industry will not only help us cater to the domestic market but also help us enhance exports. There are great prospects for automobile industry as per capita income is increasing. Indian manufacturers are urged to help Bangladeshis entrepreneurs”.

In his welcome address Mr. Ravi Pisharody, Vice President, SIAM and Executive Director-Commercial Vehicles, Tata Motors said that SIAM is also organising a workshop later in the day where experts and industry executives from India will share different aspects of the learnings that Bangladesh may like to use in their journey to develop a robust automotive manufacturing industry, terming it as a path breaking opportunity for both the countries.

While addressing the audience, Mr. Vinod K. Dasari, President, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Managing Director, Ashok Leyland, said “as a next door neighbour Bangladesh occupies a very special place in our heart and assured that India will extend whole hearted support to help develop the automotive industry in Bangladesh including development of critical Safety Regulations like Bus Body & Truck Body code to reduce accidents”. He also announced the inauguration of the Ashok Leyland manufacturing plant in Bangladesh later in the day.

While throwing open the show to the public, the Chief Guest, Mr. Obaidul Quader, Minister of Road Transport & Bridges, Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh, complimented the Organisers for taking this unique initiative and wished it all success”.

During the inauguration, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) signed MOUs with two Premier Bangladeshi Auto Associations ‘Bangladesh Motorcycle Assemblers & Manufacturers Association’ (BMAMA) and ‘Bangladesh Automobile Assemblers & Manufacturers Association’ (BAAMA).

The show was inaugurated in presence of many leaders from the automobile industries of both the countries. The formal opening of the show was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Mr. Obaidul Quader, Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport & Bridges, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

Leading Indian and Bangladeshi automobile manufacturers like Ashok Leyland, Bajaj Auto, Eicher Trucks and Buses, Hero MotoCorp, Honda Motorcycles, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti-Suzuki, Runner Automobiles, SML Isuzu, Tata Motors, TVS Motors, Yamaha and their Bangladeshi partners like ACI Motors, Bangladesh Honda, Ifad Autos, Karnaphuli, Niloy Motors, Nitol Motors, Rancon Motors, Rangs Motors, Runner Motors, TVS Auto Bangladesh, Uttara Motors and more are showcasing their latest offerings in the show.

The show intends not only to showcase the world-class offerings from the Indian automobile manufacturers, but also to contribute to create a thriving automobile manufacturing industry in Dhaka.

The event is organised by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM),  supported by Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Government of India, High Commission of India in Dhaka, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI), the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Bangladesh Automobile Assemblers & Manufacturers Association (BAAMA), and Bangladesh Motorcycle Assemblers & Manufacturers Association (BMAMA) and is co-organised by Sammonoy Bangladesh.

About SIAM

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) is a not-for-profit apex national body representing all major vehicle and vehicular engine manufacturers in India. SIAM works towards supporting sustainable development of the Indian Automobile Industry with the vision that India emerges as the destination of choice in the world for design and manufacture of automobiles. It also works towards facilitating enhancement of the competitiveness of the Indian Automobile Industry, reducing cost of vehicles, increasing productivity and achieving global standards of quality.