India aims to be a global plumbing hub: Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey

New Delhi : Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Govt of India today said that the clarion call of this expo was given by our Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi. This partnership of IPSC and FICCI will help to make India self-reliant in terms of skill development and to provide employment through Jal Jeevan Mission.  Inaugurating the first edition of the Plumb Skills Expo-2021 organised by Indian Plumbing Skills Council (IPSC) and FICCI, supported by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the aegis of Skill India Mission, with the release of the show souvenir, Dr Pandey said, “This event will not only help qualified and skilled workforce in the Indian plumbing industry but also aid global participants get an opportunity of joining the Indian skilled workforce.” The aim of the skills expo is to promote the Local to Global Mission and provide better skillset to the plumbers and technicians of the nation. The expo will play an important role in shaping the future of this sector. India aims to be a global plumbing hub, he said.  

Mr Uday Shankar, President, FICCI said, “Plumbing is a vibrant and growing sector worldwide. This sector is expected to grow globally by $ 112 Billion by 2023 with a CAGR of 6 per cent. High investment in infrastructure facilities, rising disposable income, and growing investment in smart cities are fuelling this growth. 

Further, Mr Shankar said that the sector needs to be organized.  “We are trying to bolster a digital ecosystem to meet the stiff challenges of supply and demand for skilled labour. Building on the emerging opportunities, Plumb Skills Expo 2021 aims at exploring practical ways to take the Indian plumbing sector to new heights,” he added. 

Dr RK Somany, Chairman, IPSC & CMD, HSIL Ltd said that COVID-19 exposed us to unprecedented challenges but also opened a plethora of opportunities transpired by the paradigm shift in manufacturing. “The expo will act as a catalyst increasing the global presence of Indian manufacturers and increase the employability prospects of our workforce, not only in India but in other nations as well. This event is a steppingstone for the international plumbing industry to witness India as an excellent market and understand India’s strengths for it to become the largest destination source of plumbing products and skilled workforce.” 

Maj Gen TK Chadha, COO, IPSC said that the Expo aims to link plumbers to industry, reskill and upskill them with the new technologies available nationally and internationally and connect them to employment and apprenticeship opportunities. Stakeholders from 100 countries, more than 100 manufacturers and over 70,000 plumbing technicians and plumbers will be attending the event virtually, he added.  Maj Gen Chadha also read out the Prime Minister’s message for the Plumb Skills Expo 2021 that said that the government is committed to transforming India into a nation with the most skilled manpower. ‘We have strengthened the skilled development system in this country. FICCI and IPSC are providing a great pace and direction towards the rural development and smart cities project in the country. I believe this exhibition will be an ideal place where technical experts will share their expertise with the global industrialists,’ the message read. 

Owing to the overwhelming response that the expo has received, the event that was earlier scheduled to be a four-day event will now continue for the whole month. The event has been mooted to bring plumbing technicians and global industry under one roof to showcase the strength of the Indian Plumbing sector, transforming India into a global plumbing hub and bolstering the Skill India mission. 

Being organised with the theme of Atmanirbhar Bharat: Transforming India into a Global Plumbing Hub through Skilling and Employment aligned with Jal Jeevan Mission, the expo aims to highlight government initiatives in consonance with the clarion call of the Prime Minister of India, such as Make in India, Vocal for Local, Har Ghar Nal Se Jal, Local to Global and Digital India. 

Buyers from over 100 countries will be participating from their respective home-countries to interact live with the exhibitors. The expo comprises a dedicated Virtual Exhibition showcasing products and services of more than 100 manufacturers, sectorial webinars, pre-fixed and on-spot B2B meetings between manufacturers and buyers. Over 70,000 Plumbing technicians/plumbers would be attending the event. 

Mr Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI; Mr Vinay Gupta, Vice Chairman, IPSC & CMD, Bathline India Pvt Ltd; Mr N Rajeev, Director, IPSC & MD, ESPA Water Systems Pvt Ltd, Dubai, UAE; Dr Manish Kumar, MD & CEO, NSDC participated in the inaugural session.