IMM hosted the 34th World Marketing Congress on the theme “Asian Economic Community: Its Challenges & Opportunities” during January 17-18, 2007 at the Grand, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. The Congress was inaugurated by Hon’ble Dr. A.R Kidwai, Governor of Haryana and National President of IMM.

Inaugural Session: In his introduction to the congress Dr. Sighania highlighted that IMM has been organizing the World Marketing Congress as a regular annual event. This reflects the institute’s long-term vision about globalizing marketing and management.

In his presidential address Dr. Kidwai focused on recent developments in Asia and mentioned that these developments have revealed positive scenarios for improving economic cooperation between countries of the Region for the growth and benefit of a large proportion of population of the world, which resides in these countries. The Asian nations have progressively liberated their economies in recent years in an effort to integrate with the world economy.

Chief guest Prof. Saif-ud-Din Soz talked about broader Asian base. He stated that the association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN +3, ASEAN+6 and ASEM, Asian policymakers are engaging in policy dialogue coordination to further liberalize trade and investment, strengthen monetary and financial integration, improve cross-border infrastructure and reduce transport costs, and managed shared risks.

During, Special Session, the Chief Guest Hon’ble Shri P.R. Dasmunsi emphasized recent global development and mentioned that world ‘s economic epicenter seems to be increasingly shifting towards Asia. The shift presents both challenges and opportunities for other players in the global economy.

Guest of Honor Hon’ble Dr. Akhilesh Das referred to opening up of the Chinese economy and mentioned that Asia has emerged as the fastest growing markets of the world be it consumer products or technologies.

Dr. S.M Dewan in his concluding remarks highlighted the fact that during the last few years, India has not only emerged as back-Office of the world, but it also has tremendous potential in Frontier Technologies.

During the above two sessions three important events also took place: -

1. Release of the Book on “Dream Tourism –Green Tourism” which was the theme of the 37 Anniversary conference, which also links to one of the five trust areas of the 34th World Marketing Congress.

2. Second important event is distribution of “2007 IMM Award for Excellence”. These Awards have been given in different fields related to the national and regional business- top diplomats in the Asian Region, top organizations and top exporters of India.

3. Launch of direct marketing (Digital Marketing) Programme of GDC, (the international recruiters, division of IMM ) and institute of direct Marketing, U.K Mr. Neil Morris, Deputy Managing Director institute of Direct Marketing deal with details of the programme which would be primarily on line.
   
   Chairman of the opening session, Dr. Abid Hussain introduced the theme of the congress to the audience. He further said that the growth and trade of a country are interlinked. There are tremendous opportunities created worldwide by globalization and we need to capitalize on these .
   
   Prof. G.K Chadha, Member, Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council referring to the data he brought out the silent features of Indian economy and the phenomena of integration of Indian economy with global economy.
   
   Mr. S. Krishna Kumar praised Dr. Jagjit Singh for marketing the institution a centre of excellence in management education in India. He Further said that the theme of the congress is very pertinent as demonstrated by our Prime Minister’s ”Look East Policy”.
   
   Dr. R.K . Dhawan, Chairman, FIEO (NR) said that world has become a global village with the advent of the World Trade Organization(WTO) and it has led to serious consequence for Indian exporters.
   
   Padma Bhusan, Dr Abid Hussain said world has become multi-polar as many strong countries are emerging on the global horizon. He further said that development cannot be taken for granted and initiatives are required to substance the pace of the development in the economy. Taking about the GDP growth rate of almost 9% he said that despite it, there are wide gaps between rich and poor. The issue of poverty has to be looked into urgently. It is important that poor should be given access to education and suitable employment. We need to invest more resources in the fields of science and technology.
   
   During Technical Season I on infrastructure Dr. Kirit Parekh, Member Planning Commission said as the GDP is growing continuously, to move over the target 9.2%. We need to develop infrastructure on Highway, Railway, Telecom, Internet Broadband, Ports and Power. According to Shri Parekh main problems of infrastructure is Finance resources, which can be sorted out by : Public –Private Partnership so more capital come; more efficiency maintained; cost reduction on construction is possible and quality also maintained.
   
   According to Shri. Pradeep Kumar, total infrastructure of roads in India is 3,314,790 kms. Out of which NH are less that 2% (66,590 kms) but carry 40% of the traffic.
   
   Dr. B.P Dhaka Coo (MP & CG), Parvnath Developers Ltd. Stated that FDI growth on compounded basis has been about 8% over previous year, of this 75% of the FDI would be invested in infrastructure. Under Urban Land Act, 1976 an ordinance has been promulgated which will go towards development of Urbin infrastructure.
   
   During Technical session II on Investment in Manufacturing Mr. A.P. Gandhi, Chairman FAG Bearings Ltd., spoke on “A perspective on Indian Automobile Industry”. He said opportunities in this sector are attracting big names and investments. Automobile industry crossed a domestic sales of Us Dollar 24.0 billion with exports crossing US$ 4 .0 billion in the last financial years. By 2010 India is expected to witness an investment of over US$ 9.0 billion in automobile sector.
   
   Mr. Vinod Sharma president ElCINA Stated that Indian manufacturing has experienced an unprecedented boom in demand for all types of good especially in the last 10 years.
   
   According to Shri H.S. Sikka, of Nicholas Piramal, in Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing India is on the threshold of what the world is calling “a bio-technology revolution.” India’s competitive advantage is that it is having second largest pool of scientists and engineers in the world of after USA. We are ranked 15th in value & 4th in volume & fastest growing markets in the world.
   
   In technical session on “Education on Health Care”, Dr. K.K. Aggarwal, President, Heart care Foundation of India stated that-
   
   
   1. AHA-Aggression, Hostility and Anger , a new triad, the risk factor of heart disease that is based on non fulfillment of desires.
   
   2. Holistic health can be achieved only when we think differently and that too positively.
   
   Dr. J.S Chandan, Prof of Management, The City University of New York, USA Stated that since education is the foundation on which structure of future of India will be built then let us locate a poor family in our neighborhood, who cannot send their child to school. Let us give that child a gift of education, may be someone might become Netaji or Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri among those poors.
   
   During Technical Season V on “Travel & Tourism” Shri Subhash Bose Pilllai said Tourism is world’s largest industry, highly infrastructure dependent and highly perishable.
   
   Shri M.P. Bezbaruah couchided tourism as “Experience Tourism” , A” Market of One”HRD. According to Shri Sanat Kaul, Tourism is an excellent sector to create employment opportunities. He advocated on Promoting National tourism like ‘Mini India’ Project
   
   In his valedictory address, Mr.Santosh Mohan Dev, Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Stated that the path to 2050, the focus has shifted to the economies of Brazil , Russia, India and China as the drivers of the world economy in the coming decades. Shri. M.V. Rajashekharan, Union Minister of State for planning also gave his views on Asian Economic Community.. In his key note address, Dr Nitish K. Sengupta, IAS (Retd.) highlighted the importance of Asian Economic in the world’s growth. The session was concluded by Dr. Jagjit Singh, Executive President and congress Convenor by offering vote of thanks to all guests, speakers and the delegates, whose active participation made this Congress a Success.