From its humble beginnings in 1990, the ELECRAMA series of exhibitions has grown by leaps and bounds. The tenth edition of this biennial event, scheduled to be held at the NSE Complex, Mumbai, from 18 to 22 January 2012, promises to be a grand spectacle with a full complement of global and Indian exhibitors in the Power sector. 95% of the Indian Electrical Industry manufacturers across the entire T&D value chain conforming to global standards will come together to showcase their development and manufacturing strength.

According to a pre-event media release, US$600 billion (Rs 27,00,000 crore) worth of business opportunity up for grabs in the Power infrastructure space in the country and seen in this background, Elecrama being the largest confluence of the power transmission and distribution sector ranging from 110V to 1200 kV and HVDC transmission, offers an international framework, for display, discussions and deliberations among global T&D fraternity comprising business people, thought leaders, technologists and professionals from the Utilities, Industry and Academia.

For the first time ever, the Expo is being supported by the three Ministries of the Government of India - Ministry of Power, Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, and Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. As such, it has already received tremendous response from exhibitors worldwide. Highlights of Elecrama 2012 include an Asian edition of the world's leading global conference on smart grids, technical tutorials by specialists from CIGRE Paris and specialist workshops by IET on distribution technologies. The event would also feature many State-Industry interaction platforms, trade exchanges via reverse buyer seller meets and other value enhancing programmes.

Speaking during the launch, Ms Indra Prem Menon, Chairperson ELECRAMA 2012, said: "India is on the cusp of infrastructure revolution and the Power sector has a key role to play. As per estimates, US$ 600 billion (Rs 27,00,000 crore) of planned investments in Power generation, transmission and distribution are at various stages of progress and ELECRAMA 2012 will play a huge catalyst role in bringing investors, manufacturers and decision makers together. At IEEMA we are glad to present this 'India Power Factor', a global platform that will position India in the right perspective." "India, given its inherent advantage of genuine engineering talent is fast becoming the global hub for low cost or frugal engineering development. The India advantage translates to a tremendous 'blue ocean' growth opportunity for transnational companies by making available first world technology adaptable to all market conditions, be it price or performance parameters. This unique 'Made in India' value proposition will be on full display, with estimated 95% of the Indian Electrical equipment manufacturers across the entire T&D value chain conforming to global standards come together to showcase their frugal engineering, development and manufacturing capabilities," said Mr Vimal Mahendru, President IEEMA.

Mr P V Krishna, Director General IEEMA and Organizing Secretary of Elecrama said, "Elecrama 2012 will provide opportunities for visitors to forge technology partnerships, close business deals, and assess vendors' capabilities. Above all, Elecrama 2012 will bring to the fore the value proposition of 'Made in India' and of 'right technology @ right price'. Concurrent conferences will throw light on technology trends, O&M, developing smart power grids."

Visitors to Elecrama consist of a wide spectrum of industry stakeholders, offering them an international framework for display, discussions and deliberations. It brings together manufacturers and suppliers to interface with key customer segments like private and public T&D Utilities, EPCs, Consultants and specifiers, members of the government and policy makers. It also brings together global thought leaders in the electrical transmission and distribution sector consisting of industry leaders, engineering professionals and technologists, professionals and academia, et al through high power panel discussions, premier conferences, technical workshops, tutorials and seminars held concurrently with the exhibition. Elecrama also hosts International diplomatic and trade visitor delegations from various countries and large country pavilions from leading manufacturing nations from around the world.

For those interested in statistics, the inaugural event of Elecrama, in 1990, saw 283 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors. The ninth edition, Elecrama 2010, hosted 1,243 exhibitors from 23 countries including India and attracted 1,05,209 footfalls, including visitors from 120 countries.

IEEMA, the Organiser

Elecrama is organised by IEEMA, a non-profit industry association of over 750 businesses, is considered the voice of the Indian Electrical and Industrial Electronics manufacturing sector. Founded in 1948, IEEMA represents the largest segment of the Indian Electrical and Industrial electronics Industry. IEEMA's 750 members together are a US$22 Billion collective. Equipments manufactured by IEEMA members contribute to more than 95% in evacuation of the 771.551 BU/1,50,000 MW of installed power generating capacity in India.

Now in its 63rd year of existence, IEEMA continues to provide unique services to its members. IEEMA undertakes various activities, major ones being disseminating information about government policy changes and statistics, representing views of the industry to the government, evolving price variation clauses covering a wide range of products and circulating price indices for the same, formulating industry standards etc. (Article is a compilation based on inputs from www.elecrama.com. For further information contact: Indian Electrical & Electronics Manufacturers' Association. Tel: 022-24984226/7. Fax: 91-22-24975140. Email: elecrama@ieema.org)