IFAT India Enters the Next Round

The program will focus on educating specialists in the environmental sector. As a result, the fair is tackling a big problem for international companies on the Indian labor market.

Large share of international exhibitors

Organizers are expecting some 5,000 trade visitors to attend. "We expect approximately 200 exhibitors at this year s IFAT India," says Lisa Oelze, Exhibition Director for IFAT trade fairs abroad. "So far a number of major corporations such as Bilfinger Water Technologies, Endress + Hauser, Festo, Wilo, Brentwood Industries and Binder have registered for the fair. Right now the share of international exhibitors is at 63 percent, which once again is higher than average."

The increased share of international exhibitors is particularly noticeable due to the growing number of exhibitors at the country pavilions. Groups of companies from China, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland have joined forces to present themselves to visitors at country-specific joint exhibits. For the third time, the German Water Partnership (GWP) will also have a joint exhibit at the fair.

Focus: Training specialists in the environmental sector

Once again, visitors attending this year s fair can expect a conference program with scientific and technical lectures from international environmental experts. "That also includes Capacity Development Day, which we use to create a platform at IFAT India where people can discuss the shortage of qualified specialists and find solutions," explains Stefan Rummel, Managing Director at Messe München. "Recruiting qualified workers in India presents many companies with a number of challenges." On October 15, experts will discuss the possibilities and the need to train workers in the environmental sector in a series of individual lectures and in a panel discussion. Speakers will include Prof. Eldho T.I. from the Indian Institute of Technology in Bombay, Prof. Jürgen Lehmann from the University of Applied Sciences Hof, Dr. Kapil Narula from the CII Triveni Water Institute and Dr. Rashid Hasan from the Indian Environmental Ministry, among others.

Besides Capacity Development Day, IFAT India will also feature competitions, the objective of which is to develop skills that are needed in the environmental technology sector. For example, the Skills Competition hosted by GIZ (German Association for International Cooperation) is a training course for specialists at water treatment plants. And the industry s academics can present their knowhow in the University Challenge, which is being hosted by University of Applied Sciences Hof.

The All India Environmental Journalism Competition also promises to be a highlight. It was founded by GIZ and is supposed to encourage journalists to report more on environmental topics on the Indian subcontinent and, in doing so, increase awareness about environmental protection. Awards will be presented for the best submissions in the categories Print, Internet and Video. The winners will be announced on the first day of IFAT India.