Dr. Shakeel Ahmad, Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology has said that with the proactive and industry-friendly policies taken up by both the Central and State Governments in the IT and hardware manufacturing sectors, several foreign investors are looking forward to invest in India. With this encouraging trend in the telecom sector, a number of major global companies have started setting up manufacturing facilities in India. Dr. Ahmad said this, here today, while addressing the valedictory session of the ‘India Telecom 2006’. India Telecom 2006, a three-day international Conference & Exhibition, organised by Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications and IT in association with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Telecom Equipment Manufactures’ Association (TEMA) concluded today. This event had more than 150 participants across the globe. The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, inaugurated the India Telecom 2006 in the presence of Shri Dayanidhi Maran, Minister of Communications & Information Technology.
Speaking further on the occasion Dr. Ahmad said that there was need to provide seamless connectivity across the country for voice as well as data to enable the human resource to realize its full potential He thanked the telecom industry for its cooperation due to which progress could be possible. The Minister was also expressed his pleasure over the success of the event and said that the India Telecom 2007 will be of four days duration commencing from December 12, 2007. The Minister while thanking the participants of India Telecom 2006, simultaneously extended his invitation to them to the next year’s event also.
Today’s valedictory event, besides Dr. Ahmad, was also addressed by Shri D.S. Mathur, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, who earlier chaired the concluding session “India’s Role in the High Growth Markets”. Speaking on the occasion Shri Mathur said that the country’s telecom network is growing very faster and this has placed India’s position as world’s fifth largest network. This development, he said, has focused the attention of the foreign investors as India to be their destination. He further said that 85% of the geographical area of the country would be connected through the telecom network while in the next two years it would be 90% which would completely erase the digital divide. The present Conference 2006 has paved way the major telecom giants to showcase their activities and products. Shri Sanjeev Aga, Chairman Cellular Operators Association of India and Shri B.B. Anand, President, Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India also spoke on the occasion.
RM/AMA-161206 Valedictory INDIA TELECOM
(Release ID :23405)