Dear Friends,
First of all I want to wish all members happy festivities.
REPRESENTATIONS/LETTERS
We received representations from our members regarding the extension of payment duration for MSME sector from 45 days to 120 days under Section 43 B (H) for which we wrote letters to the Hon’ble Minister of Finance, Hon’ble Minister of Micro & Small Enterprises & Hon’ble Minister for Commerce and Industry.
Also made representation to MEA for solving the VISA issuance issue for Chinese Nationals for visiting India for Business purposes and participation in STONA 2025.
VISIT TO DELHI TO MEET SECRETARY MINES
Myself, Shri Gurushastrimath, VP, Shri Shankarnarayanan Chairman Q&D, and Shri N Mahesh Chairman TN chapter went to New Delhi and met the Secretary of Mines Shri Kantha Rao (IAS) recently in order to discuss about the issues pertaining to the Mining sector.
A detailed representation was given to him regarding the issues plaguing the Mining sector with regard to GCDR 1999 (Rules), EC violation cases (SOP), Granite Deposit, Bench Cutting, Alleged offences under the Mines and Minerals Acts, has been given the color of offences under the Indian Penal Code etc.
The meeting was fruitful with Secretary Mines as he assured to conduct a workshop in Bangalore to resolve all the above said issues by interacting with Industry and the state government representatives in Month of May 2024.
FOREIGN VISITS
1. South Korea:
Here I would like to make a special mention about the FIGSI delegation visit to South Korea led by Shri ZakiChakkiwala, a single man delegation I would say who has done a fantastic job. He has met Ms Park Jung Sun, President IKSAN Stone Association, Officials of the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute (KOFPI & KOTRA) and also Ms Reyhan Segzin, Owner Segzin Marble & Board Member Aegean Natural Stones & Minerals Exporters Association. They have shown interest in learning from Indian Mining and Trade Policies, mutual cooperation for business facilitation of stone industries through FIGSI’s trade promotion & SKILL development activities.
2. China:
Shri Manoj Kumar Singh, General Secretary and Shri Hemanshu Sehgal visited China and signed agreements with the Chinese Agent for STONA 2025.
3. Turkey
Sri Krishna Prasad, President FIGSI and Shri Manoj Kumar Singh, General Secretary visited Turkey and attended the Izmir Marble fair 2024.
4. Serbia:
First time FIGSI participated in 14th International Stone Expo Serbia 2024 on barter agreement. Our EC member Arashad Pasha visited the Serbian Fair representing FIGSI.
STONA 2025
STONA 2025 is approaching and I would like to mention that STONA 2025 has garnered tremendous response from the Industry. FIGSI has signed agreements with Turkey 2500 Sq mts, China 1500 sqmtrs and Iran 192 sqmtrs for STONA 2025.
Apart from this, machinery and tools sector is also very eager to participate in full strength and we are expecting STONA 2025 to be bigger and better than all other previous editions.
STONE MART (JAIPUR)
The STONE MART 2024 Exhibition was held from 1st to 4th February 2024 at Jaipur and we received a lot of queries and bookings for the STONA 2025. The photos of the STONE MART 2024 Exhibition are appended in this edition of the Magazine.
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
Now, coming to FIGSI Skill Centers, Hosur Center infrastructure is almost coming to a closure. The Hosur Center of Excellence would mainly be focusing on the Mining, Processing, Monuments, Murals and other aspects of the industry. Apart from the training center the infrastructure for natural stone museum is also ready and I welcome ideas from the members for the theme and also the exhibits for the museum for both at Hosur and Jaipur.
The Jaipur Center which is already in operation would be focusing on Mining, Processing, Machinery, Tools, etc. VGU has started training in 3 areas, apart from this we are planning courses in mining, processing and allied topics.
SEMINARS AND PROGRAMMES
Many programs and seminars have been planned by FIGSI in different states in order to address the problems of Industry. There has to be a continuous interaction both at the Central and State Governmental levels in order to address the problems wherein FIGSI shall be acting as a nodal point.
Working with other Federations like FIMI, FIEO, IICCI and CII for collaboration for seminars and workshops to rope in experts from Global arena.
WEBSITE
The Website of FIGSI and STONA 2025 are being made interactive and innovative ideas have poured in from the members. As the future is in digital marketing the FIGSI website / magazine has been upgraded from this edition to the international standards wherein members can get all the information at the press of a button.
SUB-COMMITTEES
As per the vision, 22 Sub-Committees have been formed for the term 2024-2026 and the Chairmen and Co-Chairmen have been appointed.
As on today we have had 14 sub-committee hybrid meetings of Finance, Disciplinary, Quarrying development, Editorial Board and Marketing Committee, Seminars & Conferences, Tamil Nadu Chapter, North State Chapter, Karnataka state chapter, Skill Development and the STONA 2025.
The MOM is shared and plan of action has been charted out and they are working in full vigour.
I would like to thank chairmen & members of all the sub committees who have made it possible and successful. I would like to thank the members who joined and suggesting the training requirements of the Natural stone industry for the Hosur, COSE.
INTERACTION WITH INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS
FIGSI has traversed a long way and today it is well known Association in the Industry circles. But we have to build the Brand of FIGSI to international levels. We have planned a lot of coordination with the Apex Chambers of Commerce and Industry in India and abroad in order to take it further ahead.
In this endeavor we had a meeting with Italian Regional Manager at FIGSI on 14.03.2024. They have shown keen interest in tying up with FIGSI in all its activities and we hope to take it forward.
A meeting with the Group of Counsel Generals and Trade Commissioners on Trade and Business with India has been planned along with the Italian Embassy.
FICCI invited FIGSI for a half day workshop on ‘ATA CARNET’ on 15th March 2024 at Hotel the Lalith Ashok which I attended with delegation of FIGSI EC members and delivered opening remarks. FICCI is developing a B2B Portal to provide business opportunities to its members and to the member bodies. The link of the portal was shared with us and we have sent it to all our FIGSI members so as to take advantage of the portal.
I also had meeting with Mr. Claudio Maffioletti, CEO and Secretary General Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce & Industry and discussed about the collaborations.
Also had meetings with Mr Yusuf Tambawala, Vice President Growth & Business Support, DP World, UAE and Mr. Amitesh Mishra, Senior Manager, Business Development&Trade Development & Logistics – DP world, UAE.
This would give increased insight to our members to develop their business and take it to the next level in the National and International levels.
Digitization of FIGSI membership Documents
As part my VISION the Digitization process is in full swing and will be completed shortly.
Thank You
S Krishna Prasad
President
