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Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Road Transport & Highways said that the government is targeting at making the country a manufacturing hub of construction equipment in the world. Addressing a webinar organised by CII on ‘Construction Equipment, Technology, Components and Aggregates’, the minister said, to achieve the objective of self-reliance, we need to reduce imports and boost the manufacturing of various components and parts in the automobile sector which are presently being imported. He appealed to all the industries in the sector to develop industrial clusters, technology centres, research labs and upgradation of technology and skills.

Gadkari assured the stakeholders to extend all possible support in developing technology centres in India. He also stressed on the need for research and cost reduction without compromising quality.

The minister called for research, innovation and technology upgradation and emphasised on the need of joint ventures and foreign collaborations to get easy finance and compatible technology. Maximum use of LNG, CNG and bio-fuels can definitely reduce the cost. Government is also working on integrating and developing all kinds of transport like water ways, sea transportation, rail, road and air transports which will definitely reduce the logistic cost and help industries in a big way, he said.

According to him, the government is proactively making changes in policies for achieving self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) as envisioned by the Prime Minister.
Gadkari further said that to encourage the micro, small and medium enterprises, the definition of MSMEs has been changed, credit facility and funds have been created for these industries. He also said that work is going ahead on a new scrapping policy for transport sector.

Speaking at the webinar, Gadkari asked the CII members to help in the development and growth of ancillary units/industries to supply spare parts.