Page 18 - Plastics News July 2023

AIPMA'S AMTEC AT WORK

2nd Conference on Growth of Plastic Industry – Import Substitution of Plastic
Goods, Mumbai

Contribution of domestic plastic sector in making India developed nation will be
invaluable: Piyush Goyal

2nd Technology Conference for Growth of Plastic Industry was organized on 7th July, 2023 at The Hotel Lalit, Mumbai.
This conference was attended by more than 450+ plastics industries including senior government officials, visionaries
of the industry, researchers and entrepreneurs. The conference was addressed virtually through Video conferencing by
Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri. Piyush Goyal as a chief guest. The conference was a great success with
his presence by his vision and motivation about the theme of Plastic Import substitution.
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal said that the domestic plastic sector in the country has done well
in the recent years, and it has tremendous potential to grow further. Its contribution in making India a developed nation
will be unparalleled and invaluable. Union Minister Piyush Goyal said the export of the country was stalled at around 500
million dollars till 2020, but the scenario has been changed in the last two years and the country has managed to touch
the 776 million mark in the export sector. Plastic industry’s contribution was of 12 billion dollars and it has the potential
to grow. The sector has the potential to add business opportunities, jobs for young generation, opportunities in the
world and it can help the government to grow the entire ecosystem of the plastic sector over the next few years. He
pointed out that the government is always ready to listen to their suggestions for the orderly growth of this industry in
the near future. He informed that two FTAs were finalized with Australia and UAE last year and currently the Govern-
ment is actively negotiating with many other countries. The Government is looking to engage with the developed world
more significantly. He appealed the plastic industry to significantly use these FTAs and expand their basket, access newer
markets and promote greater exports. He pointed out the potential for huge import in this sector by both UAE and
Australia. While underlining the importance of quality, he said that Government is striving for quality and high standards
and will not accept substandard production in this sector. Therefore, Government is awaiting the suggestions from the
industry to make it more reliable and at par with the global standards and will implement them immediately.
He also mentioned, quality does not require high cost. It can be attained at low cost, it is good for industry, which helps
it to expand the scale of operations, reduces waste and it also helps in reducing the cost of production. The industry
should have the mind set to give the best to its consumers. He assured that the Government is very sensitive to the
potential of the industry as well as to the problems of the industry. He also appealed to identify the ways to contribute
to sustainability and sustainable growth together and how they can contribute to circular economy and support recycling
of plastic waste, reuse of plastic raw material and make the disposal of plastic waste more effectively and efficiently. He
proudly mentioned that India is far ahead on the recycling front and has the recycling average of 13 percent, which is far
ahead of the global average of 9 percent and some developed economies with only 4 percent. He advised the industry
to mould them with emerging times, emerging world and according to the needs of the world with newer ideas and
newer technologies and collaboration of the stakeholders.
As per the mandate of Hon’ble Prime Minister, to reduce import dependence and become Atmnirbhar, The All India
Plastics Manufacturers’ Association (AIPMA) has conducted a detailed study on import of Plastic goods in the country.
As per the study, plastic goods worth Rs. 37,500 crores were imported in 2021-22. After detailed analysis, AIPMA has
selected 553 plastic products for import substitution. It is estimated that import substitution of plastic goods worth Rs.
37,500 crores would create additional requirement of around 4 Million Tons of Raw material per annum and 16,000+

18 PLASTICS NEWS July 2023