70th Installation Speech 2010-11

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a matter of great prestige & honor for me to accept reins as the President of this august Chamber in its 70th year. Our Chamber has attained great heights and has earned great respect as the parent body representing the trade and industry of South Gujarat. A legacy of distinguished Past Presidents has left a trail of success in representing the cause of the Industry of this region. I bow my head in gratitude to all my Past Presidents & elders.

After having served the Chamber in various capacities under the leadership many luminaries in all my humility, I would make two clear distinctions for the ensuing year:  

1. Representing the cause of Surat and its Industry & Enterprise at all possible levels and
2. Proactively,
(a) Formulate programs for creating a roadmap for the Next Generation Entrepreneurs
(b) Take a holistic view of the multifaceted issues of the trade & industry
(c) Synergies the strengths of the complete value chain.

The baton has been passed on to me and I shall pass it on next year to my successor. It is my earnest desire to institute programs in tandem with my successor so as to achieve long term goals of the Chamber. It will be my constant endeavor to work as a Team with blessings and guidance of elders.

In my perception on two levels initiatives are desired:
1.  “Brand Surat” Initiative
Industries of this region essentially fall in the MSME segment. This segment has some inherent weakness associated with its size and business volume. It is therefore, desired to build “Brand Surat”, an initiative that shall support the cross section of Business with :
(a) Information & Knowledge
(b) Research & Development
(c) Technology up-gradation & marketing support &
(d) Collective efforts by the entire value chain of the industry coupled with Governmental policies.
This according to me is the long term answer to Surat Industry.

2.  “Entrepreneur Development Cell” Initiative
The road forward for Surat is to address itself to the untapped huge potential of various segments of enterprise and business of the region. Coupled with it, there is a felt need to build a platform for the Next Generation Entrepreneurs. This could be done at four levels.

a. Provide a database of the business segments having growth potential. Say for example, Alternate Energy, Environment based Industry etc.
b. Make model prototype project reports that would act as a starting point for entrepreneurs desiring to venture in New Areas.
c. Provide details about strategic investors & venture capitalists.
d. Provide information of domestic & international market.

A series of initiatives have been planned. I am of the firm opinion that growth, though desired, has to be sustainable and inclusive. There are serious concerns for environment, health, quality of life and these needs to be addressed to.
I would emphasize here, that programs have to be designed for the long term. Probably, in this current year initiatives could be taken, strong foundation could be built and their fruits could be borne in the long term.

Programs Envisaged for the year:

Keeping in view the issues of Textile and Diamond industries of our region, corporate companies of Hazira, national and international economic scenario various conferences, exhibitions, business tours and policy representations are envisaged for the year 2010-11.

Conferences :
Series of National level conferences have been planned covering Textile, Diamond & Jewellery, Jari, Chemicals, Service Sector, Banking, Energy, Environment, Capital Market, Tourism and Sustainable Growth etc.

Exhibitions :
Chamber was instrumental in introducing Embroidery business to Surat which acted as a savior to Textile Industry. The Embroidery story started with an exhibition of Embroidery Machines by Chamber in year 2006-07. Series of following exhibitions have been planned for the year 2010-11:

I would hasten to add that the success of these exhibitions would depend on the support which we will receive from the industry. I look forward to the Industry to extend their support for accomplishing this exhaustive dream. Such conferences and exhibitions will give an impetus of growth to our Diamond and Textile industries.

Surat International Exhibition & Convention Centre (SIECC):
Among the other 'first' achieved by Chamber is SIECC. Our Chamber is the Only Chamber in this country which has built such an International Level Convention Centre. We are all proud of this achievement. I salute all those Past Presidents and members who have worked tirelessly in making this dream come true. It is my earnest desire to do all in my capacity to complete the Phase II of this project. I shall fail in my duty if, I do not thank the Central and State Government for their generous support.

Taxation Issues:
The structure of taxation in India is undergoing radical change. The Industry has been feeling the pang of this change. With GST and IFRS around the corner there is an urgent need to proactively work in:
(a) Spreading awareness with regarding to understanding the policy and its implications &
(b) Educating the trade & industry to gear itself up for the change. This shall be an area of priority for Chamber in 2010-11.

Infrastructure in Surat:
Infrastructure is essentially a State concern. Over the years Surat has felt neglected both by the Central and State Government. In all humility, I beg to state that, a lot of injustice has been done to Surat.
The Surat Airport has become a farce. Cities half the size of Surat and with less than half contribution to the exchequer has close to a dozen operational flights. The Surat Railway Station, with its rail traffic and revenue collection, deserves to be developed as a Model Railway Station.

Green Surat :
The Holy River Tapi has been reduced to a dirty stream of water. It must be restored to its old glory.
A drive to convert Surat into a Green City has been initiated by Surat Municipal Corporation to reduce pollution and impact of climate change. It will be my conscious efforts to work in the direction of making Surat into a Green City.

There are two points I would like to emphasize here :
1. The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has done remarkably well over the years and as always Chamber will give its full support and cooperation in all their projects
2. Surat’s Resilience to bring back to normal is unparallel not only in country but in the whole world. As a responsible society, we need to take up the larger cause of a Good Quality Life for our citizens. I firmly believe that 'Together We can'

There is a saying which fits the bill in today’s times – 'Either you CHANGE with time or time will CHANGE you' To go global is no more a matter of choice. Chamber has to initiate a well planned long term effort in this direction.

It will be my endeavor to reach out to the world. I firmly believe that in the changing economic dynamics, the western world is increasingly finding itself incapable of being a viable manufacturing region and they are looking out to partner with Asian Countries……countries with strong political stability and skilled manpower. India is a natural option for western world and this is where a huge opportunity lies for us. India will become the next economic power on the economic prowess of its cities like Surat and its adjacent region.

I am a student of Economics and I am of the opinion that the next 3 to 5 years is a period of exponential economic growth, wherein lies a huge opportunity for all of us. The world is looking at us, the million dollar question is, are we ready, do we have the vision, attitude and mindset to take up the challenges to encash this opportunity. I on my part with support of all our trade and business associations will make an honest effort to bring the World to Surat so that the potential of Surat can be exposed to the World.

I am as Good as my Team is.

I am of the belief that the success of my tenure would depend on my team. It would depend upon the support of all Past Presidents, members, associations and guidance of business leaders. I seek the blessings and well wishes of one and all who are present here.

Together let us make Surat 'More Livable' and 'More Loveable'  

Thank you & Regards!