The Hindu Business Line : Global rubber meet to discuss current trends

WORLD Rubber Congress 2004, an event on global rubber and tyre industry, will be held in Kochi during June 17-18. In addition to the two-day conference, an exhibition to showcase the newest materials and latest technology available for the industry will take place.

Organised by Tefla's Conferences and Events Pvt Ltd, the seminar-cum-exhibition is set to bring together on a neutral platform all the stakeholders in the rubber sector for an in-depth and objective analysis of the status and prospects.

Rubber is in the news these days. Prices have improved considerably both within the country and in the international market. India's rubber exports exceeded 60,000 tonnes during 2003-04.

"It is the most opportune time for the stakeholders to discuss issues of importance to the rubber sector and formulate a set of recommendations for the policymakers," Mr Kailash Singh, Managing Director of Tefla's told Business Line.

The topics to be covered include current trends and outlook, overview of global natural and synthetic rubber markets, challenges and opportunities for the tyre industry, WTO implications, rubber futures trading, and investment opportunities and potential of natural rubber in Asia.

Growers, plantation owners, processors, manufacturers of finished products, traders, research centers, financial institutions, policymakers and officials from Central and State governments, as also machinery manufacturers and service providers are expected to participate and benefit from deliberations.

Speakers from India and abroad will discuss a range of topics of interest to the Asian region. Rubber Board Chairman, leading industrialists and rubber technologists have confirmed participation, Tefla's said.