Hyderabad, June 30 (Reporter) The second edition of the Industrial Innovation & Technology Expo (IITEX 2025), organised by the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI), concluded on a high note at the Hitex Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad yesterday. The three-day event attracted over 10,000 visitors and featured more than 110 exhibitors representing key sectors such as mobility, renewable energy, packaging, food processing, industrial automation, and smart technologies. Telangana IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu, who attended the valedictory session as the Chief Guest, said Telangana’s industrial success was no accident but the outcome of visionary policies and inclusive governance. He praised the innovations on display—from 3D printing to industrial robotics—stating that they made it clear that "the future is already here." He urged FTCCI to transform IITEX into an annual flagship event and take it beyond Hyderabad to tier-2 and tier-3 cities to ensure broader access to industrial innovation and technology. The Minister noted that Telangana’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for the first quarter of FY25 recorded a Compound Monthly Growth Rate (CMGR) of 2.90 percent, which is nearly six times the national average of 0.52 percent. He attributed this exceptional performance to the state’s robust, inclusive, and forward-looking policies. Emphasising the importance of the MSME sector, he said it had been neglected over the past decade. In response, the Telangana government had introduced a progressive and future-ready MSME policy designed to promote revival, resilience, and innovation. Sridhar Babu also shared that Telangana attracted Rs 3.25 lakh crore in new investments between 2021 and 2024, and completed industrial proposals worth nearly Rs 75,000 crore, as reported by the MSME Export Promotion Council. He highlighted the growth of the life sciences sector, which saw Rs 40,000 crore in investments and the launch of 150 new projects, generating 51,000 direct and 1.5 lakh indirect jobs. He further mentioned that aerospace and defence had emerged as another major focus area. He reiterated the government’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by establishing dedicated MSME parks aimed at making them crorepati. FTCCI President Dr Suresh Kumar Singhal said the expo aligned with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and empowered MSMEs by providing access to cutting-edge technologies. He expressed pride that the event commenced on World MSME Day, honouring the vital role played by MSMEs in India’s economic development. The expo also featured special pavilions by T-Hub, T-Works, NASSCOM, CDSC, and others, with support from the Ministry of MSME (Government of India under the PMS Scheme), the Government of Telangana, NITI Aayog’s Invest India, NSIC, TGREDCO, RICH, and AIC. Dedicated startup zones curated by T-Hub and NASSCOM showcased more than 40 emerging ventures. Expo convenor Vimlesh Gupta said IITEX 2025 served as a platform for transformation, connecting traditional industries with disruptive innovations from startups. While IITEX is currently a biennial event, FTCCI announced its intention to make it an annual flagship industrial expo, further strengthening Telangana’s position as a hub for industrial innovation...////...