MEET INDIA'S MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

• To get a better understanding of India’s infrastructure and transportation needs
• To make yourself known to Indian authorities who give contracts to private investors
• To find out how to take part in current and upcoming infrastructure and transportation projects
• To assess the potential for developing your business in India
• To take advantage of advice from a high-ranking official of the Indian government
• To learn how to take part in projects with partners who are already established on the market
• To network with five key Indian business leaders:
  • Mr. Atul Punj, Chairman, Punj Lloyd Ltd.
  • Mr. Ashith Kampani, Managing Director, JM Financial Consultants Ltd.
  • Mr. Athar Shahab, Deputy Managing Director, IDFC Projects Ltd.
  • Mr. Srinivas Bommidala, Chairman, Urban Infrastructure and Highways, GMR Group.
  • Mr. O. B. Raju, Managing Director, Highways, GMR Group.

India’s dazzling economic growth over the last few years now makes it an indisputable force. However, this development has brought the country to a critical point at which its infrastructure network absolutely needs to be modernized if the country wants to be able to continue to offer conditions favouring such dynamic growth.

The Indian government has therefore started to open up its market to private investment in the areas of infrastructures and transportation in order to meet these urgent needs. The amounts involved are enormous and bear witness to the scope of the need: Goldman Sachs estimates that within the next 10 years, India’s total infrastructure and roadway needs will account for $1.7 trillion US.

Roads

India has the world’s third largest road network. However, the quality of its roadways is not always suitable to their ever-increasing use, especially with regard to the transportation of goods. The government has established a $500 billion investment programme to improve the roadway network, with a goal of constructing 7,000 km of new roads per year. Several major projects are therefore underway or being studied, such as the multiple phases of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP), and the extension the Mumbai-Pune concrete expressway.

Other infrastructures

Major needs and investments are also evident in other areas related to infrastructures. In particular, India must improve its energy distribution network in rural regions, and must build new port facilities or modernize existing ones. Facilities for container traffic, which is growing by 15% per year, and 60% of whose national volume goes through the Port of Mumbai, should benefit from considerable investments.

India also represents:

• A GDP of $1.25 trillion US in 2009
• Estimated growth of 6.2% in 2009, which should continue at the same rate in 2010
• A population of approximately 1.2 billion inhabitants, making it the most heavily populated democracy in the world.
• Continued government commitment to the liberalization of its investment regime. Canada and India have in fact concluded negotiations on an agreement for the promotion and protection of investments.
• A network of well-established expatriates and immigrants in Canada.
• Widespread knowledge of the English language.
• A legal system highly inspired by British Common Law.

Businesses in the transportation, roadway, and infrastructures sectors interested in India’s public and private markets.