Inaugurating the 18th rubber conference here on Thursday, Singh said the Indian rubber industry, which has so far been protected, could stand up to the global competition if they took help of researchers and characterisation facilities in the country.

The Indian Rubber Manufacturer's Research Association (Irmra) has already geared up to help the industry to participate successfully in the global competition', he said. Speaking on the occasion, the president of Irmra KM Philips said Indian rubber plantation industry had reached highest productivity with assistance from the Indian Rubber Board and such efforts are required in the manufacturing sector also.