The much-awaited mega aluminium conference – International Conference on Aluminium (INCAL 2019) was kicked off today. Shri Anil Mukim, IAS, Secretary to Govt of India graced the opening day ceremony as the Chief Guest, in the presence of a galaxy of business leaders and delegates from across the globe and different parts of India descending in Bhubaneswar. The 3-day Exhibition and Conference is being held from Jan 31-Feb 3.
Among others, Dr Tapan Kumar Chand, Chairman, AAI & CMD NALCO, HE Mr Pham Sanh Chau, Ambassador Socialist Republic of Vietnam, HE Mr Moe Kyaw Aung, Ambassador Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Shri Sanjeev Chopra, IAS, Principal Secy, Govt of Odisha, Shri Ajay Dikshit, CEO, Vedanta, Mr Suryakanta Mishra, Chairman, Utkal Alumina International Ltd, Mr Damiano Fancovigh, Consul General, Italian Republic, Mrs Sweeya Santipitaks, Consul General, Kingdom of Thailand were present on the occasion.
With bullet trains, aerospace, electric vehicles and smart cities set to dominate the next phase of development in emerging economies like India, the spotlight on making Aluminium as the Metal of choice will be a key focus area in INCAL 2019. Billed as one of the biggest event in the Aluminium calendar in Asia, INCAL 2019 will showcase the latest technologies and advancements in the sector.
Shri Anil Mukim, IAS, praised the Indian Aluminium industry for showcasing India’s strength in front of a global audience and urged the stakeholders to work towards increasing the domestic consumption of aluminium in a sustainable manner and make Aluminium as the metal of choice for the future. He stressed on value addition in the aluminium industry and encouraging the downstream industries in the country. He also urged the industries to address the social and environmental issues and ensure sustainability. More than 850 delegates, including 150 foreign delegates from 20 countries including Ambassadors of Vietnam & Myanmar, Consul Generals from Italy, Norway & Thailand, High Commissioners, are participating in the mega Global Summit, where aluminium producers, technologists, equipment suppliers, raw material suppliers from across the globe are participating for developing a roadmap for sustainable aluminium industry vis-à-vis other metals and contributing for green development.
Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, Chairman, Aluminium Association of India (AAI) and CMD, NALCO said, “INCAL 2019 has a three-pronged strategy to send across a strong message to the stakeholders in the Metal and Aluminium industry. At the international level, we are aiming to project Aluminium as the futuristic metal, at the national level, we are committed to take steps to increase domestic consumption as there is tremendous scope and at the state level, project mineral-rich Odisha as the Aluminium Capital of India.’’
INCAL is being held in Bhubaneswar for the first time, under the aegis of Ministry of Mines and organized by Aluminium Association of India (AAI).The Conference, besides having a world class program with the theme “MAKING ALUMINIUM – DRIVING GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT”, will deliberate on several key topics and issues of Aluminium industry with a special session on Downstream Prospects and Emerging Applications of Aluminium. This conference is being attended by top executives of global aluminium industries like ALCAN of Canada, CHALIECO & CHINALCO of China, EGA (Emirates Global Aluminium), Rio Tinto of Canada, RUSAL of Russia, Norsk Hydro of Norway etc and equipment suppliers like FL Smidth of Denmark, SMS of Germany, Danielle, ALMEX & Properzi of Italy, Carbone Savoie of France etc.
Apart from attracting investment, the Meet is also providing a global trade and knowledge-sharing platform, open up business talks between countries, states, and corporations.