President Pranab Mukherjee today called upon the Industry to join hands with the government to address the huge gap of demand and supply of skilled persons in the country. Inaugurating the 32nd India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, he said, skill development and vocational training has to be brought to the centre stage of development process. Hailing the economic growth in the country in last two decades, the President said, India's model of self reliance has been a source of inspiration for many developing countries. Emphasizing the need for keeping pace with rapid global economic changes, the President highlighted constant fine- tuning of skills of the workforce.
Mr Mukherjee said that the goverment has taken many steps to reduce fiscal deficit. These include decisions to allow FDI in Multibrand, Civil Aviation and Insurance and pension sectors.
On the occasion, Commerce and Industy Minister Anand Sharma said that the National Manufacturing Policy which was rolled out last year, is aimed at enhancing the share of manufacture sector in GDP to 25 per cent within a decade, creating at least 100 million jobs. The Minister announced opening up of more investment and manufacturing zones in the country. He said it will cater the need of employment of 200 million young people who will join the work force with in this decade.
The theme of this year's fair is Skilling India which focuses on the initaitives undertaken by various government departments and private participants for the skill development of the youth. In the 14-day annual fair, Belarus is the partner country, while South Africa has been chosen as the focus country. In the state category, Uttarakhand is the partner state and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the focus state or Union Territory.