In line with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing, over 2,000 licensing agreements for technology transfer were signed in 2024, along with the issuance of more than 200 production licenses. Over the past five years, more than 130 industries have been identified as Development Partners or Production Agencies for manufacturing systems developed by DRDO, significantly strengthening indigenous defence capabilities, said Dr (Smt.) Chandrika Kaushik, Director General (PC&SI), DRDO at the CII Manufacturing Conclave East, organized by CII Eastern Region in Kolkata on 9th July. The 12th edition of the conclave provided a strategic platform for addressing emerging priorities, where experts shared their insights on the impact of competitiveness, inclusivity, and sustainability on the future of the manufacturing sector. The conclave also explored strategies aimed at accelerating the growth of vital sectors, including Railways, Defense, Automobile & Auto Components, Steel, Mining, and Heavy Industries.
Dr Kaushik further stated that under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme, multiple industries are actively participating, with industry partners providing the core technology. DRDO supports these initiatives by offering financial assistance of up to ₹50 crore per system, along with comprehensive technical guidance. Scientists from the relevant DRDO laboratories closely engage with the industries, providing hands-on support and mentorship throughout the development phase to ensure successful outcomes.
Dr Sudhanshu Mani, Former General Manager of ICF and the creator of Vande Bharat, emphasized that manufacturing must be fundamentally aligned with logistics, with transportation playing a critical role. He encouraged Indian industry to innovate and optimize within available resources to progress towards Industry 4.0, thereby paving the way for a self-reliant manufacturing sector.
Mr Umesh Chowdhary, Past Chairman CII Eastern Region & VC & Managing Director, Titagarh Rail System, underscored that for India to sustain its economic growth, it must achieve global cost competitiveness in both technology and quality. He noted that the Government of India has identified railways as a critical driver of economic development, as reflected in the tenfold increase in the railway budget over the past decade. He further stressed that investments in technology, automation, and R&D will be pivotal in strengthening the manufacturing sector.
Mr Ashish Anupam, Vice President, Tata Steel Ltd., noted that since FY23, the Eastern Region has been growing at a pace faster than the national average. In FY25, while India recorded a growth rate of 6.5%, states such as Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, and Chhattisgarh collectively achieved over 7 percent year-on-year growth. The metal sector has been the key driver of this performance—accounting for 54 percent of the country’s crude steel production, 70 percent of coal output, and 100 percent of chrome and ferrochrome production. Additionally, the region leads in the production of several other key metals, solidifying its position as India’s industrial growth engine. The Government of India’s Purvodaya scheme has further accelerated this momentum, enabling the region to continue its upward trajectory.
Mr Shashwat Goenka, Chairman CII Eastern Region & Vice Chairman, RP Sanjiv Goenka Group, highlighted that exports from the Eastern Region have recorded a promising compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% between 2019 and 2024, reflecting the region’s strong economic momentum. As India transitions into a semiconductor-driven economy, the Eastern Region’s position as the nation’s mineral hub further underscores its strategic importance in driving future economic growth.
Mr Suvamoy Saha, Chairman, CII Manufacturing Subcommittee and Managing Director, Eveready Industries India Ltd., highlighted a significant shift in manufacturing investments from traditional sectors to high value-added segments. He noted that Gross Value Added (GVA) in manufacturing has increased fourfold—from Rs 5.5 lakh crore in 2010 to Rs 21.9 lakh crore in 2023. Key sectors driving this growth include textiles, metals, chemicals, electronics, and machinery and equipment.
Mr Prithish Chowdhary, Co-Chairman of the CII Manufacturing Subcommittee and Deputy Managing Director of Titagarh Rail Systems, stressed that the Eastern Region—renowned for its strengths in metals and minerals, railways, defence, textiles, and food processing—holds immense potential for industrial growth. He emphasized that the objective of the conference is to catalyse the region’s development by unlocking opportunities across these key sectors.
CII has started the Market Facilitation Services (MFS) initiative to support Indian industries in expanding their global footprint and leveraging international business opportunities. This service is both country-agnostic and product-agnostic, designed to advance the internationalization goals of Indian enterprises and facilitate their integration into global value chains.