Bhubaneswar, January 15: Union Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday exhorted the steel industry leaders to focus on making the industry export-centric and fulfill global requirements too.
Pradhan was addressing a webinar on “New opportunities for steel in construction and infrastructure”, organized by Indian Steel Association.
He said, “Aatmanirbhar Bharat and being ‘Vocal for local” is all about creating a robust domestic market and going beyond fulfilling domestic requirement to reach the global markets. Our steel sector is perfectly poised to become more vibrant, globally competitive and export-centric.”
He said that PPE manufacturing during Covid-19 time is a case in point in which India went from being a net importer to exporting PPEs to the world. Our inherent capacity in vaccine production is another such example.
Speaking about infrastructure creation, the Union Minister said, “Prime Minister has set a target to make India a $5 trillion economy. Infrastructure development will play a key role in this journey. Our Government is focusing on creating a modern infrastructure for the 21st century. Whether it is roads, railways, housing or oil and gas, every sector is seeing infrastructure creation at unprecedented pace. The Rs 20 lakh crore Aatmanirbhar package gives special stress on infrastructure sector.”
The Minister also said that steel can be a catalyst for well-being of people and making it a material of choice will bring greater strength to the society.
Minister of State for Steel Faggan Singh Kulaste said that steel usage per capita in the country is about one-third of the global average.
Senior officers from the Ministry of Steel, subject experts, industry leaders, academicians, researchers, large users and regulators also participated in the webinar. This one is the second edition of webinar organized by the Indian Steel Association.
