AIIFA SUSTAINABLE STEEL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION HOSTED LANDMARK CLUSTER MEET IN KOLKATA
Debashree Mukherjee : Kolkata, July 29, 2024 – The AIIFA Sustainable Steel Manufacturers Association, the unequivocal voice for the secondary steel industry, held a cluster meet at The Oberoi Grand in Kolkata today. The meeting saw participation from leading steel manufacturers from West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, and eastern India. The deliberations were led by AIIFA President Yogesh Mandhani and Secretary General Kamal Aggarwal, and attended by prominent players including Gopal Gupta of Laxcon Steels, Suman Saraf of Radha Smelters, Anil Goyal of Kalika Steel Alloys, Hemant Lunia of Balaji Niryaat, Dinesh Aggarwal of Jalna Siddhivinayak Alloys, Rajesh Kabra of Raghav Productivity Enhancers, Saurabh Mishra of Amalgam Steel, S.S. Beriwala of Shyam Steel Industries, Ramesh Chand Goyal of BDG Metal & Power, Suraj Bhandari of Electrotherm, Vishal Bubna of Shyam Metalic, and Nirmalya Mukherjee of Steel & Metallurgy, amongst others.
The primary objective of this meeting was to discuss the region-specific challenges impacting the steel industry, address pertinent issues related to GST under the new NDA government, and update and invite the industry in the region to the two-day STEELEX 2024 and the 36th National Conference on “Green Revolution in Steel – Sustainable Innovation” at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, Mumbai, on 18-19 September 2024. The forum also raised concerns that the budget for 2024 did not meet the industry’s expectations. Participants expressed disappointment over the lack of substantial measures to support the steel sector and deliberated on strategies to increase steel consumption. They emphasized the need for stronger government support and incentives to drive growth in the industry, suggesting policy adjustments and financial initiatives that could enhance the competitiveness of domestic steel manufacturers and stimulate demand.
Discussions also highlighted the importance of fostering a collaborative environment where industry leaders could explore sustainable innovations and strategies to overcome regional challenges. AIIFA President Yogesh Mandhani emphasized the necessity of addressing these challenges collectively to ensure the sector’s growth and sustainability. He noted that the repositioning of “AIIFA” as the SUSTAINABLE STEEL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION signifies a pivotal step towards a more sustainable future in steel manufacturing, aligning with global trends and regulatory expectations.
Secretary General Kamal Aggarwal stated that the upcoming STEELEX 2024 and the 36th National Conference promise to be landmark events, uniting industry leaders and stakeholders to drive the green revolution in steel. These gatherings will showcase the latest advancements in sustainable steel production and facilitate discussions on innovative solutions to the industry’s pressing issues. By bringing all segments of the steel sector under one umbrella, STEELEX 2024 aims to position India as a leading nation in producing and supplying net zero steel (green steel). This unified effort will amplify the voice of sustainable steel manufacturers and compel policymakers to accelerate supportive measures. We urge all stakeholders to participate with one voice to champion the rights and advancements of the steel sector, significantly advancing the industry in India and beyond.
