Tuesday, September 16, 2014
By Manoj Kumawat
An MoU signed between SIAM and Japan Automobile Manufacturer’s Association
Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding today with the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) on the occasion of the 54th SIAM Annual convention. The MoU was signed by Mr. Fumihiko Ike, Chairman, JAMA and Chairman Honda Motor Company and Mr. Vikram Kirloskar, President SIAM and Vice Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor in presence of the Honourable Ambassador of Japan to India, Mr. Takesai Yagi, Mr. Ambuj Sharma, Additional Secretary, Government of India, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Government of India and other senior officials from the government and the industry. The MoU was signed to reinforce the friendly and cooperative relationship between both the organizations and help both them officially provide opportunities to continue the exchange of information.
The signing of the MoU comes at a crucial juncture for the Indian Automobile industry and the Indian economy at large. With the new government working towards initiating bilateral trade and cultural exchanges with different countries, and the automobile industry in India steadily gaining momentum, the MoU shall help the industry in making further progress. The MoU reinforces SIAM’s commitment towards the betterment of the industry.
The MoU provides opportunities for SIAM and JAMA to discuss important matters like motor vehicle market trends, business and investment environments, trade agreements (WTO, RCEP and other bilateral agreements), Government automotive policies, market stimulation measures, harmonization of automotive technical regulations, environmental issues Vehicle safety, road safety education and Auto shows. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vikram Kirloskar, President, SIAM and Vice Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “We are pleased to take our association with JAMA to the next level. Our partnership will be focused on undertaking an innovative approach for addressing trends of the market in both countries, and will have credible long term solutions’’
Echoing the same sentiments, Mr. Fumihiko Ike, Chairman, JAMA and Chairman Honda Motor Company said, “We are confident that this partnership will be beneficial for both the countries in strengthening our automotive industry. There is a common interest in developing standards to support and facilitate greater access to exchange of information across the region and support broader cooperation and mutual assistance in understanding the countries focus.’’
Both the organisations have enjoyed a close and friendly working relationship for a number of years. With the common goals of promoting a sustainable, safe, clean, affordable and efficient automobile industry, SIAM and JAMA institutionalize a cooperative dialogue to support each organization's efforts toward these goals. They have also supported each other’s industry’s development initiatives through regular participation in the auto shows and other major events organized respectively by both organizations.
Based on the aforementioned recognition, in order to implement the efforts of signing the Memorandum of understanding, both organizations will therefore maintain their cooperative dialogue at both the members’ and secretariat levels-on economic, technical and other issues concerning the auto industry, in alternate venues.
