The rubber industry in India is not just a sunrise sector but one where growth has just dawned. While for our population, India certainly will be a market for the future, the question is ‘will India be a manufacturing hub for the rubber industry?’. If yes, what is it that will drive the industry? It has been mentioned on several occasions that in many countries it is with Government assistance that the industry is progressing. However, in India, despite poor assistance from the Government the industry is registering encouraging progress. We can very well imagine what growth can be expected if the Government heeds our voices of concern.
These observations were made by Mr. Mohinder Gupta, President of the All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA), at its 63rd AGM held in New Delhi.
He said: “I can list out the major problems that the industry is facing: poor availability of quality power, high cost of capital for technology upgradation, shortage of skilled labour, mounting transaction cost for imports and exports, poor infrastructure, etc.
These concerns are talked and read about often and applicable to all manufacturing industries in general. The need to know is what is specifically deterring the rubber industry from being a rapidly growing sector it deserves to be and how do we go about addressing these problems.
He categorized the issue in three parts: the role of the Government, the entrepreneurs’ responsibility and the role of the Association.
High world rubber consumption
“What brightens up our day is the global per capita rubber consumption at a world average at 3.2 kg, China at 8 kg, developed nations at 14 kg, and India at a mere 1.16 kg. This gives us an idea of the growth we are heading for in the next decade. We need to plan and strategize for growth like any other rubber producing and consuming nations, focus on the rubber sector and compete with others for capitalizing on the emerging opportunity,” he added.
India to be top two by 2020
Mr. Mohinder Gupta further predicted by 2020 the Indian rubber industry will be one of the top two players at the global level. There are intricacies for the rubber industry in India, and as far as the role of AIRIA is concerned, it will work with each of the above-mentioned agencies and do all it can to assist the members and the industry achieve its true position.
He concluded saying: “I have complete faith in the Indian rubber industry for its success, and together we will make it happen.”