Regional Meeting of Automobile Dealers at Bangalore

FADA held an interactive meeting of the Automobile Dealers in Karnataka on 27th April 2006, which was organised in association with Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI) in the Cabinet Hall of the Federation.

R C Purohit, Sr Vice-President, FKCCI, in his welcome address, briefed the gathering about the FKCCI and its current activities. Adverting to the fact that the automobile industry in the country is growing and that the GDP is increasing steadily, he emphasised that it is very vital to have a vibrant State level Body to take care of the interests of the automobile dealers.

J Crasta, Chairman, Industry Committee, FKCCI, pointed to the low level of motorisation in the country and the huge growth opportunity awaiting the automotive industry and trade. He also spoke about the competitive, vibrant automotive components sector.

Binod Agarwal, President, FADA, took this opportunity to brief the participants about the origin of FADA, its membership strength and its various activities. He also dwelt on the current and emerging automotive scenario, the provisions of the Union Budget 2006, and highlighted various initiatives taken by FADA for the viability and promotion of retail automotive trade. He, in particular, referred to: (i) the training courses started by FADA at Pune and Mumbai, to begin with, for catering to the manpower needs of the dealerships; (ii) FADA's Helpline service to clarify members' queries on various aspects of dealership operations including the provisions and procedural aspects of tax laws, environment laws and local/ municipal laws governing the automobile dealerships and workshops.

Ajit Chordia, Past President, FADA, cited a few instances when FADA had come forward to support the cause of automobile dealers, and emphasised the need for all automobile dealers to come together and join hands, for addressing issues facing automobile dealers at the local, State, regional and national levels, in a concerted manner.