Engineers in the Asian Pacific countries should revisit their mindset and play a leadership role in sustainable development as well as focus on boosting engineering services exports from the country.
“India has large pool of engineers and skilled manpower , the country can contribute it’s technical advancement to the world .Currently the services sector is also an important contributor to the Indian exports. India’s share in global services exports stood at 3.7 per cent in 2017-18; almost double that of its merchandise exports in global merchandise exports, placing India in the top ten exporters of service in the world.” Sai Mr Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry and Railways while inaugurating a Two day international conference of Consulting Engineers ‘ASPAC 2019’ here today.
“In fact, the Government of India has taken several initiatives to boost services exports from India. The government follows a multi-pronged strategy of negotiating meaningful market access through multilateral and bilateral trade agreements, trade promotion through participation in international fairs/exhibitions and focussed strategies for specific markets and sectors. In addition, the government also provides some fiscal incentives through Services Exports from India Scheme (SEIS) for some identified sectors. “ Mr Goyal said.
“With a positive intent from the industry backed by the government support, the services industry can clock strong growth numbers in the coming years, both in the domestic market and exports alike. The quality counts a lot in services exports and the present world recognizes Quality and sustainability . India can tap huge potential of engineering services exports in Asia Pacific countries as well as in Africa. “ the minister said.
“ Some of the new advanced areas of services exports India include Artificial Intelligence, (AI), Data and modern tools for mobility and connectivity.“ The minister added.
About 350 Consulting Engineers from India and Asia Pacific countries will be attending the Two-day International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) Asia Pacific Conference ‘ASPAC 2019’ organized by the Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI), the lead body of Consulting Engineers in India which is the Member Association of International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), Geneva and Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) .
“Engineers should focus on sustainable eco-friendly development overcoming global challenges, such as depletion of natural resources, environmental pollution, rapid population growth and damage to ecosystems. Considering the problems facing our planet engineers should adopt a new mission statement – to contribute to the building of a more sustainable, stable, and equitable world.” Said Said Dr Nelson Ogunshakin , Chief Operation Officer of International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) while inaugurating a Two day international conference of Consulting Engineers ‘ASPAC 2019’ here today.
“For developing sustainable infrastructure including the construction of roads, bridges, ports, power plants and water supply engineers must adopt a completely different attitude towards natural and cultural systems. Sustainable growth helps in protecting vital natural resources along with promoting efficient use of financial resources. Sustainable infrastructure not just protects the environment, but also adds long-term value to the facilities. It enhances the quality of life for citizens of the country.” Said Dr Nelson Ogunshakin , Chief Operation Officer of International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) while speaking at the conference .
“The consulting engineers should also find innovative ways to increase capacity building of the infrastructure and construction industry, quality of civil works and need to improve project management through an efficient dispute resolution mechanism, harmonious approach to PPP projects and raising of finances.
This would then ultimately help in building durable infrastructure for the benefit of our society. Consulting engineers should also give top priority to protection of the environment and climate change in executing all various infrastructure projects.” Said Mr Amitabha Ghosal, President, Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI), the main organizer of the conference in India.
“The Consulting engineers from 22 Asia Pacific countries attending the conference with the theme ‘Quality Infrastructure for Clean and Sustainable Development’ will be discussing ways and means to develop sustainable Infrastructure including roads, bridges, ports, power plants and water supply without further diminishing the natural resources and environment” said Mr. Sudhir Dhawan , Chairman Conference Committee while speaking on the occasion.
“Sustainable infrastructure not only enables sound economic development, job creation and the purchase of local goods and services, it also enhances quality of life for citizens, increases positive impacts (benefits), helps protect our vital natural resources and environment, and promotes a more effective and efficient use of financial resources. Sustainable infrastructure is not only good for the planet, it’s good for investors’ profit margins too.” Said Mr Irawan B Koesoemo, Chairman ASPAC, while speaking on the occasion.
“The conference will be a platform for furthering regional cooperation and provide participants an excellent opportunity for networking and knowledge sharing on the ongoing and future development activities including reduced use of natural materials, improved pollution prevention and reduced carbon emissions. Worldwide more and more project stakeholders, and civil society in general, are demanding and expecting environmental sustainability to be integrated into infrastructure projects.”
“Some of the subjects that will be discussed during the conference will include need for quality development, challenges of Asia Pacific engineering industry, need for regional connectivity, urban mobility, Digital cities, high speed regional transport, water transport, safe drinking water and future trends in infrastructure construction.” Mr K K Kapila, Chairman, Advisory Committee of the conference.
“The consulting engineers should also find innovative ways to increase capacity building of the infrastructure and construction industry, quality of civil works and need to improve project management through an efficient dispute resolution mechanism, harmonious approach to PPP projects and raising of finances.
This would then ultimately help in building durable infrastructure for the benefit of our society. Consulting engineers should also give top priority to protection of the environment and climate change in executing all various infrastructure projects.” Said Mr Kapila.
Eminent speakers at the conference include Mr Jae Wan Lee, Former President of FIDIC, Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative , JICA India, Mr Kenichi Yokoyama, Country Director –ADB , Mr Prashant Kapila, CEO, ICT, Dr Mangu Singh, MD, DMRC , Dr Anne Kerr, Global Head of Cities , Mott MacDonald , Hong Kong Dr Lincoln T Satkunarajah, President & CEO Linkay Technologies Inc , USA, Mr Jose Laffond Yges, Director – Transport Planning, Typsa- Spain, Mr. Sanjay Bandopadhyaya, IAS, Addnl. Secretary, Ministry ofShipping and Mr. Jean Marc Deplaix, France
FIDIC, the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (the acronym stands for the French version of the name) represents globally the consulting engineering industry which helps in field of Land Surveys of Highway & Bridges, Hydroelectric projects, Irrigation projects, Defence , gas and power projects, industrial projects, Public health, Project Management, Highway Geometric Designs, Design of Bridges & Culverts. As such, the Federation promotes the business interest of firms supplying technology-based intellectual services for the construction related industry. Founded in 1913, FIDIC today has more than one million professionals as members worldwide.
