Content
- India’s MICE Industry
- Record Production in Mining in FY 2024-25
India’s MICE Industry
Context :
- MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) industry is being positioned as a key economic driver and high-quality job generator in India.
- The “Meet in India Conclave 2025” was organized in Jaipur alongside the 14th Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB).
- Backed by robust infrastructure, economic growth, and government initiatives, the sector is expected to contribute significantly to India’s GDP.
Relevance : GS 3 (Indian Economy, Infrastructure, Tourism)
Government & Policy Focus
- Strong central and state collaboration seen with the Ministry of Tourism, Rajasthan government, and FICCI hosting the conclave.
- Emphasis on state-led promotion, public-private partnerships, and regional tourism development.
- India aims to elevate 10 cities (e.g., Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi, Jio World Centre) as top global MICE destinations.
Economic & Infrastructure Potential
- India’s MICE market revenue:
- USD 49.4 billion in 2024
- Expected to reach USD 103.7 billion by 2030 at 13% CAGR.
- Recent infrastructure improvements:
- 1.5 lakh km roads,
- 150+ airports,
- semi high-speed trains,
- 2.48 million hotel rooms,
- digital and physical connectivity boost MICE readiness.
State-Specific Initiatives
- Rajasthan: Positioned as a future-ready MICE hub, blending heritage with modern infrastructure.
- Odisha: Emphasized spiritual and architectural assets (Puri, Konark) along with MICE readiness.
Strategic Recommendations & Challenges
- Need for a unifiednationalMICEstrategy including:
- Convention promotion bureaus at the city level.
- National MICE branding and marketing strategy.
- Skilled workforce development through MICE academies.
- Integrated digital platforms for promotion and management.
- Key challenge lies in coordinated execution, not infrastructure availability.
Global Visibility & Vision
- Hosting G20 Summit has positioned India as a credible, large-scale event host.
- Government is leveraging the G20 legacy to push MICE tourism globally.
- Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog noted opportunity for India to become a global hub for events and concert tourism.
Private Sector & International Collaboration
- Strong participation from:
- International & domestic MICE companies,
- Tour operators, event organizers, and state representatives.
- Dr. Jyotsna Suri (FICCI) emphasized India’s transformation from a leisure destination to a leading MICE destination.
- B2B sessions held to facilitate matchmaking between buyers and sellers.
Record Production in Mining in FY 2024-25
Context : India’s mining sector witnessed record production in FY 2024–25, with significant growth in key minerals like iron ore, manganese, and bauxite. This reflects strong demand from core industries such as steel, energy, and infrastructure.
Relevance : GS 3(Indian Economy , Minerals)
Key Mineral Production Trends (FY 2024–25)
- Iron Ore:
- Production reached 289 million metric tons (MMT), marking a 4.3% increase from 277 MMT in FY 2023–24.
- Iron ore constitutes 70% of the total mineral production value under the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR).
- Growth is driven by heightened demand from the steel industry, reflecting robust industrial activity.
- Manganese Ore:
- Production rose by 11.8%, from 3.4 MMT to 3.8 MMT.
- This surge supports increasing needs in steel manufacturing and battery production.
- Bauxite:
- Output increased by 2.9%, reaching 24.7 MMT from 24 MMT.
- As the primary raw material for aluminium, this growth underpins the expanding aluminium manufacturing sector.
- Lead Concentrate:
- Production grew by 3.1%, from 381 thousand tonnes (THT) to 393 THT.
- This reflects steady demand in battery production, cabling, and infrastructure development.
Non-Ferrous Metal Sector Performance
- Primary Aluminium:
- Achieved a new record with 42 lakh tonnes (LT), up from 41.6 LT.
- India maintains its position as the 2nd largest aluminium producer globally.
- Growth is fueled by demand in power transmission, transportation, construction, and packaging industries.
- Refined Copper:
- Production increased by 12.6%, from 5.09 LT to 5.73 LT.
- India ranks among the top 10 refined copper producers worldwide.
- The uptick supports sectors like electrical equipment manufacturing, renewable energy, and electric vehicles.
India’s Global Standing in Mineral Production
- Iron Ore: 4th largest producer globally.
- Aluminium: 2nd largest producer.
- Refined Copper: Among the top 10 producers.
Economic and Industrial Implications
- The consistent growth in mineral production indicates a resilient industrial sector and robust infrastructure development.
- Increased outputs in iron ore, aluminium, and copper are vital for sectors such as steel manufacturing, energy, construction, automotive, and machinery.
- These trends align with India’s objectives under the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, aiming to reduce dependency on imports and bolster domestic industries.
