International seminar on 'Relevance of Ancillarisation in the context of Gloalisation and Emerging Trade Realation' of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Multi sectoral Trade and Economic Co-operation) countries namely, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and India, organized by Indian Council of Small Industries (ICSI), headquatered at Kolkata, in collaboration with Centre for Social Sector Governance, International Management Institute, New Delhi and in assistance with Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi, under the sponsorship of Ministry of Small Scale Industries, under International Co-operation Scheme; Ministry of Commerce and Industries (India Nodal Department for BIMSTEC co-operation on Trade and Investment), Planning Commission, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), National Small Industries Corporation Ltd., and Oil India Ltd.

The ultimate objective of the seminar is to provide sustainable focus on SSI/SME sector and thereby to promote exports and imports of BIMSTEC countries, which have witnessed robust growth from 1999 to 2004. The FDI flows to these countries, during the period, have declined drastically. The BIMSTEC exports have grown from $104.9 billion in 1999-2000 to $143.2 billion in 2003-04. The imports of this region have surged significantly from $103.4 billion in 1999-2000 to $152.4 billion in 2003- 04. However, FDIs, which stood at over $15 billion during 1999-2000 declined to $12 billion in 2003-04. It may be observed that the region is lagging behind in attracting FDIs due to reasons inherent in the economy of the respective countries. In international trade scenario of these countries, the United States was the main trading partner of the group followed by Japan and Singapore. On an average basis, India accounted for 69.6% of the total FDIs followed by Thailand, which accounted for 21.7% of the total FDI inflows in the region. However, countries such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh accounted for 4.9%, 2.6% and less than 0.10% of the total FDI inflows respectively during the period. This seminar is aiming at developing multi-faceted strategy for synergising trade linkages with BIMSTEC countries within its limited parameter.

Small and Medium Industries, which play a very important role in the Nation's economy, and stand at the crossroads, is facing challenges of the liberalized economic scenario. There is an honest endeavour to bring this Small and Medium Industries in International line, and for the first time, there is a move to the globally accepted concept of 'Enterprise' as against the hitherto prevalent, rather restrictive legal definition of Industry'. For the first time, there is a move to integrate the 'Small and 'Medium', mainly in recognition of the fact that encouraging the growth of 'Small' and 'Medium' is out of economic and social necessity. And here in this area, Government has accepted its role as facilitator in promotion and development of the sector. It is also recognised world over as the provider of employment both in quality and quantity. And this informal sector has to fulfil the expectations of the nation in providing income and employment.

Objectives and goals

The broad objective of the Seminar is to provide sustainable focus on ancillary industries in the ambit of SSI/SME sector and thereby develop awareness and need for promoting ancillary industries. The seminar tends to open up a new vista in the business scenario and seeks to help the members of the BIMSTEC countries for:

1. Exchanging views;
2. Sharing technical know-how;
3. Technology export;
4. Focusing technology and products;
5. Upgradation of products;
6. Augmenting prospects of SSI/SME between the BIMSTEC countries;
7. Creating a forum for exchange of ideas;
8. Developing a component data bank with detailed specification, country-wise for the purpose of outsourcing and sub-contracting;
9. Assessing the requirement of Large/Corporate sector as to sub-assemblies, components, and thereby developing a Regional Block of trading.