Q. When was the Exhibitions India Group founded and the Convergence India and Smart Cities India expos launched?
Exhibitions India Group (EIG) was founded in 1987 as a premier trade promotion organisation that would act as a bridge between the government, industry, media and academia, among others. The group promotes trade, fosters investments, and facilitates joint ventures and technology transfers by providing networking opportunities through international business-to-business exhibitions and conferences. Convergence India was one of the first international events launched by the company in 1992. At that time, the Information & Communication Technology, IT/ITeS and telecom sectors in the country were still in a nascent stage. Since then, technological advancements have changed the manufacturing landscape and the market conditions across these industries. And Convergence India has been leading the digital revolution from the forefront. The Smart Cities India expo was launched alongside the Government of India’s landmark Smart Cities Mission (SCM) in 2015 to help fulfil the vision of creating sustainable and modern cities in India. Over the years, Exhibitions India has introduced other world-class expos. However, Convergence India and Smart Cities India have emerged as the leading platforms for a diverse set of industries, ranging from telecom, communications and fintech to mobility, clean energy and sustainable building solutions. Not only have the number of participants increased, but new segments promoting emerging technologies have been introduced. Notably, we have become the one-stop destination for private players to connect with government bodies and representatives.
Q.Tell us about the two upcoming trade events organised by the EI Group?
Since 1992, Convergence India has heralded the telecom and digital revolutions in India. During this time, it has remained at the forefront of promoting technological advancements in the fields of telecom, Satcom, broadcast, wired & wireless technologies, 5G & 6G networks, IT solutions such as Cloud, Big Data & Analytics, AI, smart solutions, M2M, Mobile & Accessories, IoT, Embedded tech, Blockchain, FinTech and Digital Gaming – the entire gamut of digital solutions. Celebrating 30 glorious years of fostering partnerships between India and the world, the 2023 edition of the expo will be a celebration of what we have achieved to help create a digital infrastructure capable of bridging the digital divide in the country through digital inclusion. It is also an opportunity to showcase to the world India’s growing popularity as a digital powerhouse and its ability to emerge as a clear leader of our time. The 8th Smart Cities India 2023 expo is a display of India’s emerging modernisation and development landscape, by showcasing the integration of transformative technologies with the key pillars of urban development, i.e. green buildings, rooftop solar, renewable and clean energy, clean environment, clean water, water conservation, urban mobility, and the use of smart ICT solutions for optimising resources that make cities smart and sustainable. Together, the expos offer a comprehensive platform for domestic and overseas players, innovators, technologists and start-ups from across all segments of urban development, mobility, and smart and sustainable technologies to unleash the power of in-person networking, expand business opportunities, and make new alliances. The expos focus on creating a modern India through landmark initiatives, such as Digital India, Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Start-Up India, Smart Cities Mission, Swachh Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission, and other associated missions.
Q.Convergence India is celebrating 30 years this year. What should the industry and guests expect when they visit the expo this year?
Convergence India is the oldest expo catering to the IT and Telecom segments in India. Over the years, the expo has expanded its influence across various industries. When Convergence India was launched in 1992, sectors such as ICT, IoT, Big Data, Cloud, Blockchain, etc., were unheard of. The expo has since become the central platform for showcasing these revolutionary technologies and is the foremost venue for the entire industry to congregate and connect. The 2023 edition of the expo will host over 1,000 companies, including 200+ startups, from around 40 countries. The conferences, being organised alongside the expo, will have 100 speakers, including those from the Union and State governments, industry, think tanks and academia. The expo will be graced by the Ministers and senior dignitaries from the Government of India, along with industry leaders, Smart City CEOs, city planners, Mayors, Ambassadors and stakeholders from India and around the globe. The threeday event is expected to see a footfall of 50,000 visitors.
Key Attractions of the Expo:
• The international conference will have concurrent sessions spread over three days and will focus on the government’s initiatives to develop India into a ‘Digital’ economy. Discussion areas will include upcoming technologies, such as 5G adoption; the changing face of AI, Blockchain; ChatGPT; strategies to prevent cybercrime; new use cases in Telecom; the future of Digital Twin and IoT; next frontier for Digital Gaming and OTT, innovative FinTech business models, etc.
• The expo has received support from the following ministries & Government campaigns: Digital India, Skill India, Smart Cities Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Ministry of Science & Technology, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC).
• The expo will host Country Pavilions from Russia, the United Kingdom, Slovakia and China.
• Curated B2B meetings will be held during the expo. This value-added service will assist exhibitors to establish new business engagements and create lucrative business opportunities through one-to-one interactions.
Q.Do you think that the Government of India is doing enough to push the cause of renewable energy?
There has been a remarkable change in the attitude of the government towards renewable energy (RE) in the past few years, and the government has taken several steps to promote renewable energy. For example, under the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) scheme, transmission lines are being laid to connect RE projects to new substation capacity to enable easy evacuation of wind and solar power. This will transform the RE power evacuation infrastructure across the country. Meanwhile, the competitive bidding model for determining wind and solar tariffs has resulted in one of the lowest tariffs in the world. The Production Linked Incentive scheme for HighEfficiency Solar PV Modules, already in its second phase, is expected to help create around 65 GW of fully/partially integrated solar PV manufacturing capability. Under phase I, the government cleared around 8.7 GW of PV manufacturing capacity, which will be commissioned sometime in 2024. This will have a direct bearing on the costing of solar projects being developed. Amendments have also been introduced to the guidelines for the competitive bidding process for grid-connected wind-solar hybrid projects. The move is expected to create a new market segment for small players, besides promoting larger capacities in such hybrid projects. In recent years, technological advancements have also allowed the setting up of stand-alone biomass projects. Over 800 biomass power and bagasse/ non-bagasse cogeneration projects are installed across the country and connected to the grid. India is running one of the largest renewable capacity expansion programmes in the world. As a result, we have become 4th globally in RE installed capacity, wind power, and solar power installed capacity. What is more impressive is that the country met its non-fossil fuel target of 40% for 2030 in the year 2022 itself! I believe that besides adding to the existing renewable capacity in the country, the government is most keen to develop an ecosystem that will support the indigenisation of the RE sector. This will not only help in curtailing India’s requirement for coal, but it will also help to create new industrial segments that will contribute towards economic growth and job creation.
Q.What key trends do you foresee in rooftop solar and decentralised renewable energy sector in 2023?
India has seen excellent progress in rooftop and off-grid solar capacity in recent years due to certain policy initiatives. As a result, about 1.9 GW of rooftop solar and nearly 700 MW of offgrid/distributed capacity was added last year. To simplify the implementation process of rooftop solar, the government recently developed a national portal where a residential consumer from any part of the country can apply for rooftop solar without waiting for the discom to take necessary action. Additionally, a new framework for the promotion of decentralised renewable energy has been finalised to encourage the deployment of solarpowered street lights, study lamps and power packs. This has created new opportunities for the manufacturing sector and will lead to employment generation. Meanwhile, policy initiatives such as the PLI for solar are already giving excellent results and play a crucial role in boosting India’s grid-connected solar capacity. Similarly, there is a new push for bioenergy. Supported by Phase II of the Swachh Bharat Mission, the focus has now shifted to setting up biomass power, cogeneration, and waste-toenergy projects. The announcement of the National Green Hydrogen Mission in 2021 is expected to open new avenues in this upcoming niche market.
Q.Who all are expected to attend the expo?
We will be displaying different technologies during the three-day expo. Companies, organisations and individuals working in any of the technology domains mentioned can be a part of the expo.
Technologies on Display:
• IT & Communications: GPON / FTTH products (ONT, OLT), Android / iOS Apps for WiFi Management, FTTx Infra, Unified Communications & Enterprise Telecom Products, 5G xHaul Timing Aware Switch, Network TAPs & Packet Brokers, 5G Infrastructure – Test & Verification.
• Satellite Communications: Satellite IOT Network Communication, iNetVu mobile antennas, VAST systems with one button, motorized and automatic.
• OTT / IPTV: AndroidTV, Media Player, Video streaming Solutions, Video Delivery over IP, Headend in the CLOUD, Middleware, Cloud Streaming, Cloud Distribution, Video Appliances.
• Broadcast, Content Distribution and Delivery: Set-Top Box, DTH Antenna, Satellite Receiver, Media Storage, CDN, Head End & Cable Tv, Cable SMS, ISP AAA Server & CRM Application
• IoT / AI / ML, Data Analytics & Big Data: Industrial Cellular Router (4G/5G), Industrial Switches, PoE Lan Extenders, Media Converter, IOT Hardware Manufacturer, IOT Gateway, IO Cards and Customized Products, Routers, Gateways, Telecom Monitoring Solution and energy Meters
• EmbeddedTech: Electronic Components, PCB, Electronic Manufacturing Services, Server Motherboard, Desktop Motherboard, Memory products, DashCam (DVR)
• FinTech, Cyber Security & Surveillance: Lending Solutions, Insurance Solutions, Retail Solutions, e-Learning & Immersive Technology, Payment Aggregator, Treasury Management, Spend Management and Corporate Cards Platform, CBS, POS Solutions & Equipment, Risk Assessment and Digital KYC
• Mobile Accessories: TWS, Wireless Speaker, Headset, Wireless Headphone, Power Banks, Mobile Battery, USB Cables, Touch Screen, LCD, Connectors, Plugs and Jacks, RF Connectors, Charger Connectors, Neckband Headphones, Mobile Phone Charger, Wired Earphone
• Digital Gaming: Gaming Application Software’s Keyshot, AR/VR Equipments, Apps & Games, Games Developer, drone, cameras, telescopes & gaming consoles
