The Hindu Business Line : Vizag to host meet on ceramic industry

Ceratec 2007, a three-day international conference on ceramic industry and science, begins here in Andhra University on Monday and the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S Rajasekhara Reddy, will inaugurate the meet.

At a press meet here on Sunday evening, Mr Y. Sivasagara Rao, Chairman and Managing Director of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, and Prof. L. Venugopala Reddy, Vice-chancellor of the university, said it would be a major event, with the participation of several delegates from abroad and 250 delegates from all over the country.

Mr Sivasagara Rao said there was tremendous potential for developing ceramic industry in and around Visakhapatnam and "it could soon be turned into a Rs 1,000-crore industry. This seminar will be a prelude to many exciting developments later. A ceramic city is being planned near Duvvada and I am sure the State Government will extend all possible help. The steel plant on its part will give all possible help."

Prof. Venugopala Reddy, said the university would introduce a course in ceramic engineering from the next academic year. Mr S. Durga Das, President of the Visakhapatnam Ceramic Industry Association and the convener of the conference, said he was hopeful the Chief Minister would make a positive statement on allotment of site to the proposed ceramic city near Duvvada.

"We have been making earnest attempts for the past two years for securing the site. We are confident of getting it. A ceramic park will be developed there and this seminar will be of great help to prospective entrepreneurs," he said.

More Stories on : Ceramics | Andhra Pradesh

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