Govt for deemed university status to IIP

New Delhi, July 11 (UNI) The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is approaching the University Grants Commission (UGC) for grant of a Deemed University status to the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP).

''Growth of retail sector in India would create a huge demand for the packaging industry. Further this demand would generate vast job opportunities,'' Ministry of Commerce and Industry Joint Secretary P K Dash said.

According to IIP, the Indian packaging industry is currently worth Rs 90,000 crore with an average growth rate of 15 per cent against the global average growth of 4 to 5 per cent.

INDIAPACK 2006, an international packaging exhibition and conference, is scheduled to be inaugurated by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath in Mumbai during December 11 to 14 this year.

INDIAPACK 2006 is envisaged as a catalyst for the development of packaging machinery, materials, product packaging, labeling, conversion and allied sector of the packaging industry.

It will also create a platform for entrepreneurs and senior management in the packaging industry an opportunity to interact on the subject of latest packaging technologies. Thus INDIAPACK seeks to bring all stakeholders of this important industry under one roof.

The event in Mumbai will also include Asian Packaging Federation programmes and the India Star Awards distribution ceremony to facilitate the winners of the National Packaging Awards.

The theme of the conference is 'Packaging for Tomorrow' highlighting the prospects of Asian region and also the latest developments and innovations in printing, conversion, system, testing and distribution to have overall knowledge to become globally competitive.

INDIAPACK is organised by IIP, which is a National Institute set up by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and works with the active support of the industry. The International Packaging Exhibition and Conference and other events are organised once in two years.

The last INDIAPACK 2004 was held at Mumbai and 170 companies from 7 countries exhibited their products.

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