Article Posted on : - Sep 23, 2013

Dr. A S Pillai, CEO & MD, BrahMos Aerospace addresses the gathering during NAMEXPO-2013. Also present on the occasion are KKM Kutty, Past Chairman CII Southern Region & MD Sealings and Jointings Ltd., Vice Adm Satish Soni, PVSM, AVSM, NM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command, and Mr. Jose Dominic, Past Chairman CII kerala State & MD, CGH Earth. A BNS photo

COCHIN, KERALA (BNS): With an aim of showcasing the competency and capabilities of Indian naval systems in maritime and coastal defence sector as well as providing business opportunities for the domestic and global defence industries, 'NAMEXPO 2013 - International Exposition & Conference' on India's Naval & Maritime sector kicked off at the Cochin Port Trust premises in Cochin, Kerala on Monday.

The country's maiden naval & maritime expo was inaugurated with the lighting of the lamp ceremony by K. Babu, Hon'ble Minister of Ports, Fisheries, Excise, Govt of Kerala, V Adm Satish Soni, PVSM, AVSM, NM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command and Dr. A Sivathanu Pillai, CEO & MD, BrahMos Aerospace along with other officials.

Dr. Pillai, who gave special address on the occasion, congratulated the organisers for the commendable initiative taken in conducting such an exhibition in Cochin - a first of its kind in India - which will highlight the country's growing prospects in naval and maritime sector.

He pointed out that a strong synergy existed between the Indian Navy and Indian defence industries as a great deal of the country's naval and maritime requirements was being met through indigenisation.

"It is appropriate to showcase the naval systems and technologies and the power of Indian navy in this exhibition. Particularly, conducting of this exhibition at the Southern Naval Command is a welcoming step. DRDO and BrahMos take pride in participating in this show with the display of their technologies and systems," Dr. Pillai said.

"The expo will make the leading experts related to the sector of maritime aware of the latest trends and techniques which will help in the expansion and recent as well as future development of this sector,"he added.

Focusing on the key areas for Joint Ventures he said, "For the growth of the Indian defence and aerospace industry, it is vital that the SMEs are developed, promoted and encouraged to form the backbone of the industry. To minimise imports, Indian manufacturers must be encouraged through partnerships or joint ventures or technology collaboration with OEMs of sub-systems, assemblies and components."

Dr. Pillai, during his speech, also brought forth the highly successful BrahMos Joint Venture model which has borne fruits in a short span of time in a highly complex field, fostering bridges between two different cultures/ countries.

Complementing the Indian Navy, CII and Cochin Port Trust, other dignitaries on the dais also spoke volumes about this unique platform being presented to the global as well as Indian industries to interact with officials from Indian Navy, Government of Kerala, Indian Coast Guards, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of MSME, Shipyards and other stakeholders.

NAMEXPO 2013 promises to provide immense opportunities to Indian and global companies to collaborate, co-develop and co-manufacture technologies and products in India for both national and global markets.

The five-day grand event, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in collaboration with Indian Navy, Coast Guard and the Ministries of Shipping and micro, mini and small-scale industries, features major global defence manufacturers, defence PSUs in India and joint ventures like BrahMos, facilitating interaction between local players, global majors and end-users.