New Delhi: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Wednesday (May 27, 2020) held meeting, through video conference, with the industry and trade associations to assess the impact of COVID-19 lockdown and subsequent relaxations on their activities, and take note of their suggestions to put the economy back on tracks.
It was the fifth such meeting since the coronavirus lockdown with the associations.
The meeting was attended by the Ministers of State for Commerce and Industry Som Parkash and H.S.Puri, and Officers of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Among the Associations, the meeting was attended by CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, NASSCOM, PHDCI, CAIT, FISME, Laghu Udyog Bharati, SIAM, ACMA, IMTMA, SICCI, FAMT, ICC, and IEEMA.
Addressing the associations, Goyal said that future is ours to choose - it would be better to be ready and start working for the post-COVID period, with good ideas, firm implementation plans, and to make India a world power.
Talking about PM Modi's adage of ‘Jaan Bhi, Jahan bhi’, the Minister said that worst for the economy is over. Things are looking up, and revival is in the air.
He said that the steps taken by the Government under the Aatmanirbhar campaign will help the Nation fight the economy.
The Minister said that Aatamnirbhar Bharat will not be inward-looking, closed, or anti-foreigner. Rather, the concept entails a confident, self-reliant, caring nation that takes care of all the strata of the society and nurtures the development of all parts of the country.
Piyush stated that in the last three decades post-liberalization, the country progressed but the focus was city-centric. The rural and backward areas remained deprived, forcing millions of people from there to migrate to cities for employment and opportunities.
He said that Aatamnirbhar Bharat will inculcate the spirit of oneness among 130 crore citizens of India. It will support Indian companies. He said that it is very anguishing to note that even for several routine items like furniture, toys, sports shoes, we are importing. This is despite the fact that the country has technical prowess as well as skilled manpower. These things need to change.
Piyush called upon the industry to make efforts in this regard, by thinking about sustainable, out-of-the-box ideas.
He said the fight against the COVID-19 can’t be undertaken by the Government alone, it is the nation’s fight and all stakeholders have to play an important positive role.
The Minister assured the Associations that their suggestions are duly examined, and due and timely action is taken on the rational, genuine demands.
