Key Takeaways:
India rises to the occasion as every adversity brings an opportunity. Before covid19, India was not producing PPE, masks etc., amazingly the Indian entrepreneurs in one month set up factories successfully for manufacturing PPE kits, Masks, Sanitizers etc. This is the strength of India to meet any challenge.
India realised that it should reduce its over dependence on China over a period of time and produce in India while lessening the dependence on imports from China including API imports for pharma sector as well.
India has a capability to become the factory of the world.
India must be vocal for local and go for global and export to other countries.
In addition to the ease of doing business (EODB), it is very important to have competitive cost of doing business (CODB) as well that may be achieved by lowering cost of power, logistics etc.
The cost of labour in India seems very low in comparison to the world including that of even China, but when we compare with India on per piece production basis, we feel the cost of labour in India is higher as the productivity of labour in India is comparatively very less. It is important to improve the productivity of the labour in India.
The cost of land in India also needs to come down.
The cost of compliance in India is high and there are too much compliance as well. As in case of Pharma sector companies, there are over 4000 compliances and on an average the companies have to meet around 2000 compliances. Its felt that the number and cost of compliances must be brought down so that entrepreneur should focus more on expanding business.
Due to Covid19 pandemic, various countries are looking to move out of China to elsewhere. This is an opportunity for India to become favourable destination but India must undertake several reforms to lure the companies to invest in India and to shift their base to India. The reforms that are particularly needed are such as legal reforms, labour, land etc.
We have to undertake a lot of reforms so that instead of red tape, we lay red carpets and invite foreign companies to invest in India but that is only possible if we make a system of one window and all the permissions to be given at one place. With these reforms, we are sure that we may become factory of the world in future.
We also need to improve our infrastructure and to make it world class. And the govt must provide for budgets for developing world class infrastructure in next 5 years. This will definitely make India self – reliant.
The govt should also give more stress on education, healthcare and skill development as well.
The other important area is Research and Development where govt must focus more and spend more on R&D activities in every sector. The govt. must also incentivise the private sector as well for encouraging R&D activities.
It is also important that every state should make land banks, so that if any foreign investor comes to India, they should immediately have the options of available land to choose from in the different states.
Germany focused on fiscal responsibility so as to ensure that the next generation should be in capable hands and similar things are needed in the policies of the Indian govt.
KAS firmly believes in the next generation and their right to take responsibility for themselves but at the same time, it also firmly believes in value of experience and tradition.
Covid19 has taught us harsh but a valuable lesson and that nothing is forever as with in just a few months, the production of goods came to a standstill. That makes us realise as to how dependent we are on other countries. The production stoppage in China has had impact on India and Germany and so, it becomes important to be self - dependent.
Now it is the time to see inwards in search of solutions and to be self – reliant especially in the strategic resources such as health care.
Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu highlighted the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and dissemination of information and other measures adopted by his constituency in combating the spread of the pandemic. He emphasized that this is not the time to play politics; it's time to assist the government in the best possible manner.
Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu suggested that the movement of migrant labour should have been more systemically done with provision of proper food and accommodation.
While lauding the steps of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said that healthcare infrastructure development needs to be a long term goal that can be achieved with strong robust policy-making, active communication, and involvement of each citizen.
Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu suggested holding the upcoming Monsoon Session on the Virtual platform even though it is a challenging task to bring all MPs on one platform at the same time. Otherwise it will be difficult that how all 543 MPs will assemble safely in Delhi.
Shri Manoj Kumar Tiwari, while deliberating about the COVID-19 situation, mentioned that his constituency in North East Delhi is densely populated and is going through a tough time. In the past few days, there has been an increase in establishments of test centres and hospitals that will lead to an overall improvement in the situation, and he mentioned that they have made necessary arrangements for providing 10000 beds and ventilators for Delhi to manage the situation.
Shri Tiwari also mentioned that suggestions have been given to the Delhi Government for combating against the deadly virus and that we are trying our best to implement them. The medical tests and facilities have been made affordable and reasonable. He emphasized that unlocking was an essential step for the country that has led to restart of the economy.
Mr. Peter Rimmele, Resident Representative to India of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, dwelled upon some key areas, like importance of youth in politics and self-reliance as India and Germany stand on the same page when it comes to young faces in politics.
Dr. D K Aggarwal, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in his presidential remarks appreciated the bold steps undertaken by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in making India self-reliant and promoting local manufacturing of goods and services. He highlighted that every adversity brings an opportunity.
Dr. D K Aggarwal highlighted the need to focus on importing technology that will help India to lay a red carpet instead of red tape. Digital Technology can be one of the weapons for India to emerge as a superpower in the future.
Mr. Pradeep Multani, Vice President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in his formal vote of thanks assured that PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry will always stand in full support and solidarity with the government and it's ministries to help India fight the battle against COVID-19.