Maritime India Summit 2016 A Round Up The first Maritime India Summit in Mumbai, besides resulting in business agreements for Rs 82,905 crore investments, played a key role in highlighting the role of port led development for faster and sustainable economic growth. The National Perspective Plan of Sagarmala project, which was released by the Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi on April 14, underlined Governments seriousness in boosting port led infrastructure development. The summit provided a platform for participation, engagement and interaction from 42 countries. More than 5000 delegates from around the globe participated in the Summit. The 3 day exhibition organized during the Summit also drew enthusiastic response from 197 exhibitors including 81 international companies, 80 Indian private sector companies and 36 Government owned entities. 13 thematic sessions and 3 special sessions on various aspects of maritime sector were organised in which more than 80 eminent speakers from across the globe deliberated and shared their vision and experience and interacted with the audience. The thematic session on Maritime Nations highlighted the global nature of the shipping industry and the importance of co-operation & collaboration between maritime nations. The focus sessions on maritime States brought to fore the investment opportunities in various maritime States and Union Territories of India. In addition, there were sectoral seminars on shipbuilding and ship repair, skill development through maritime education, inland waterways development, cruise shipping and lighthouse tourism, fisheries development and maritime security, which saw serious deliberations. An exclusive CEOs Forum of select industry leaders, chaired by Honble Minister S,RT&H, was held to deliberate on the potential and growth opportunities of the Indian Maritime Sector. The enriching discussions, suggestions and learnings from various similar developments in many countries will help Ministry of Shipping in implementing a sustainable roadmap for the sector. Union Shipping Minister Mr. Nitin Gadkari, interacted with over 100 foreign delegates and ensured them the easy of doing business in India. The session on the Partner Country Republic of Korea, highlighted the strengths of Korea as a Maritime Nation especially in Ship Building, Maritime technology, Port led Development, Maritime Financing and Maritime Security. The Summit has also provided a unique platform to forge new partnerships with other countries. On the side-lines of this Summit, high level bilateral meetings were held with 12 participating countries. The Summit showcased around 240 projects which present investment opportunities during the next five years. The investment potential of these projects is around $ 66 Billion (Rs. 4.34 lakh crores). The Ministry of Shipping has established an Investment Facilitation Cell in Indian Ports Association to follow up on these opportunities with potential investors and ensure that the announcements and intent expressed during the summit materialize into actual projects and investments. Maritime Heritage Museum A top draw One of the top attractions at the Summit was the Maritime Heritage Museum, built in the form of a container ship with interiors resembling a Spanish Galleon. The museum depicts the 5000 years rich maritime heritage of India, right from the earliest port at Lothal to the modern days of shipping in the form of artefacts, replicas, photographs, maps and navigation equipment.
