Bengaluru, Jan 23 (NationPress) The Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, officially opened IMTEX 2025 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, underscoring the pivotal role of the machine tool industry in propelling India's manufacturing and economic development.

"A resilient machine tool industry is critical for a strong manufacturing sector," remarked Kumaraswamy, stressing its importance as a fundamental element of the capital goods sector.

The Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA) has orchestrated the 22nd iteration of IMTEX 2025, a premier global machine tool exhibition, prioritizing metal cutting and manufacturing technologies from January 23 to 29, 2025 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) in Bengaluru.

In his address, Kumaraswamy asserted that the National Capital Goods Policy 2025 aims to elevate India to a position of global leadership. He praised Karnataka’s substantial contribution to the machine tool domain, stating, "Karnataka produces 50 percent of India's machine tools, earning it the title of the machine tool capital of the nation."

He emphasized that the groundbreaking efforts of Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) laid the groundwork for the industry's advancement over the past fifty years, noting that Karnataka remains a hub for innovation and production excellence today.

The Minister highlighted various central government initiatives, including the Scheme for Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector, which is aimed at technology upgradation, skill development, and infrastructure enhancement.

"Our ministry has facilitated the creation of the Tumakuru Machine Tool Park and collaborated with industry and academic institutions to establish Centres of Excellence such as the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Centre at IIT-Madras," Kumaraswamy mentioned.

He also revealed plans for the development of the National Capital Goods Policy 2025, which is designed to enhance India's stature as a global leader in the sector.

"This policy will create a framework to stimulate innovation, decrease dependence on imports, and boost competitiveness," he added.

Kumaraswamy commended IMTEX 2025 for featuring over 1,100 exhibitors from 23 countries, offering a venue for networking and collaboration among industries and academic institutions.

With its emphasis on innovation and collaboration, IMTEX 2025 is poised to advance India’s machine tool sector, aligning with the government’s vision of “Make in India” and promoting a self-reliant, globally competitive manufacturing industry, Kumaraswamy concluded.

Karnataka Industries Minister M.B. Patil also attended the inauguration, with Kumaraswamy acknowledging the government's commitment to supporting the machine tool industry and fostering innovation.