SIPMA holds General Body Meeting, elects new leadership
Bengaluru: The Southern India Plywood Manufacturers’ Association (SIPMA) held its General Body Meeting on February 22, 2025, bringing together industry leaders and experts to discuss key issues affecting the plywood sector.
The meeting, held in Bangalore, focused on crucial matters such as the QCO order, sustainability initiatives, emission norms, and industry standards. Discussions also included labour welfare and modernization efforts aimed at improving productivity in the sector.
A major highlight of the meeting was the election of new office bearers. Dr. Prashant MA was elected as the President of SIPMA. He is currently the Director of AK Apple Ply, a company founded by the late M. Ahmed in 1984. Originally from Kochi, Dr. Prashant has been associated with AK Apple Ply for over three decades, having joined the company in the 1990s. He gained valuable experience under the mentorship of M. Ahmed and played a key role in expanding the company’s operations. Expressing his gratitude, Dr. Prashant acknowledged the vision of his late mentor and said he was honored to take on the responsibility of leading SIPMA to serve the plywood industry.
Alongside Dr. Prashant, Jitendra R Patel, Managing Director of Raaj Wood Products in Nelamangala, was elected as Vice President, and K. Hariraya Kamath from Karnataka Plywood in Sullia, Karnataka, was appointed as Secretary.
During the event, SIPMA also recognized the contributions of industry veteran Siraj Bhai of Veneer Mills by presenting him with the Lifetime Achievement Award. A member of SIPMA since 1980, he has dedicated his career to the growth of the plywood sector and has been actively involved in its development.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Xi, Trump reach series of new common understandings: China's foreign ministry
Beijing (PTI): Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump had an in-depth exchange of views on major issues concerning the two countries and the world, and reached a series of new common understandings, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Friday.
Xi and Trump, who is on a three-day visit to China, met twice on Thursday and discussed a range of bilateral and global issues.
Trump is due to leave on Friday after a luncheon meeting with Xi.
Summing up the outcomes of Trump’s visit to Beijing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the two presidents had an in-depth exchange of views on major issues concerning the two countries and the world and reached a series of new common understandings.
They agreed on a new vision of building a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability to provide strategic guidance for bilateral relations over the next three years and beyond.
The two presidents also agreed to promote the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-US relations, and bring more peace, prosperity and progress to the world, said a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson.
Trump visited China at the invitation of Xi.
The two presidents are meeting in person again for the first time since their Busan meeting last October, and it is the first visit to China by a US president in nine years, the statement said.
On Thursday, President Xi held a welcome ceremony and a banquet for Trump, held talks and visited the Temple of Heaven with him.
VIDEO | Beijing: On second day of bilateral talks, US President Donald Trump (@POTUS) thanks Chinese President Xi Jinping for 'incredible' China trip.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 15, 2026
Trump says, "Thank you very much. This has been an incredible visit. I think a lot of good has come of it. We've made some… pic.twitter.com/7A7lbEzLdC
