In order to provide opportunities to the Indian telecom stakeholders to meet qualified overseas buyers, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Communications, Electronics & Information Technology and Railway, inaugurated on Tuesday ‘India Telecom 2022’ – an Exclusive International Business Expo.

The event is being organised by Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) from Feb 8 to 10, 2022 under Market Access Initiative Scheme (MAI) of Department of Commerce, Government of India and with support of Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of External Affairs and Indian missions in different countries.

Qualified buyers from more than 45 countries are attending the event. Apart from conference, 40+ Indian telecom companies are showcasing their products and capabilities at the exhibition.

In his inaugural address, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology and Railways said, “India has emerged as a major electronics manufacturing hub. Today, electronics manufacturing in India is close to US dollars 75 billion. It’s growing at more than 20% CAGR. Now, we have launched a major semiconductor programme, a very comprehensive programme in which right from silicon chip to compound semiconductors, design led manufacturing, creating a series of entrepreneurs in design and also finally to develop 85,000 semiconductor engineers.”

On development of technology, the Minister stated, “The country has also developed its own indigenously developed 4G core & radio network. The 5G network is also in its final stages of development. The country is participating today in development of 6G standards, in the thought process of 6G.”

Delivering the special address, Devusinh Chauhan, Minister of State for Communications said, “Communications is not merely a facility.”

“It empowers citizen of the country by helping them to get information, education and opportunity to ask question and make the Government of the day accountable,” Cauhan said.

Transparency and Accountability make our democracy vibrant and strong. It is a prime mover for socio-economic changes, he said.

“That is why, the Government has made an ambitious plan taking optical fibre to all 6 lacs villages. We have reached to 2.6 lacs villages and Department of Telecom plans to achieve the target by 2025. This will also bridge the digital divide as well as fulfil the motto of “Minimum Government and Maximum Governance,” he said.