India's auto component manufacturers optimistic abt new deals

Indian automotive component manufacturers participating for the first time in an international automotive trade exhibition here are optimistic about securing contracts for exporting its product to the African continent.
The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), set up by the Ministry of Commerce, brought a 15-member delegation to the biennial four-day Automechanika Johannesburg 2015 which started yesterday.
"This is the first time that we have brought exhibitors to one of these events which take place in 14 cities across the world," said Sanjeev Bhatia, leader of the delegation and head of the Punjab chapter of FIEO.
"Our members find South Africa to be a very focused country for exports, so we have entered into an agreement with the organisers to come to the next event as well, with more companies," he said.

"South Africa is quite strong in the automobile manufacturing sector as well as the used vehicle market, and we have also seen people from other parts of the world coming here to visit the 600 exhibitors.
He said Indian exhibitors would like to explore both the South African market and importers from other countries that have come here to source Indian products, as this is the only such expo on the African continent.

Bhatia said the fact that the 15 Indian stalls were surrounded by more than 120 competitors from China did not matter.
"We can compete with the Chinese manufacturers because of the confidence that our manufacturers have in their pricing and quality being of world class standards.

Bhatia said the Indian auto components export market was close to being worth USD 300 billion and had the potential to increase that to usd 500 billion in three years' time.
Kosheek Maharaj from the South African Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) said his organisation was keen to partner with Indian component manufacturers.
"We want to try and promote Indian businesses in South Africa and encourage production of more cars in South Africa using parts from India to increase their footprint in the country."
Maharaj said there was already an Indian partner at AIDC developing components for the Ford company, and there was more opportunity to capitalise on skills transfer and research and development through mutual support.