The Hindu Business Line : Brazil to join global cashew alliance on April 26

Mangalore April 23 The stage is set for a global cashew body with the signing of the tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) by India, Brazil and Vietnam - the three major players in the cashew sector — in Florida on April 26.

Mr Walter D'Souza, Chairman of Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI), told Business Line that the national board of SINDICAJU (the Brazilian Cashew Association) has agreed to join the alliance.

"The CEPCI had entered into a bilateral MoU with Vietnam Cashew Association (VINACAS) on January 25, with a clear understanding that it would be forwarded to SINDICAJU, and upon receipt of their confirmation with amendments (if required) a tripartite MoU among SINDICAJU, CEPCI, VINACAS will be signed latest by April 30," he said, adding that the national board of SINDICAJU has confirmed acceptance of the MoU in its current form and agreed to join the alliance.

Mr D'Souza will lead the Indian delegation.

Mr Antoni Jose Carvalho will lead the Brazilian delegation and Mr Nguyen Duc Thanh will head the Vietnamese delegation.

Mr D'Souza said that the three leaders would discuss the modalities to firm up the roadmap leading to the formal inauguration of the new body within a definite time frame.

Stating that the leaders from over 50 countries representing the leading brands of cashews will meet in Florida from April 26 to 29 for the annual convention of the Association of Food Industries (AFI), he said the MoU on the global cashew alliance would be signed before the inaugural session of the AFI convention. This will be witnessed by leaders of all the nations representing over 90 per cent of the cashew trade in the world.

CEPCI PROPOSAL

The CEPCI will take up the proposal of uniform cashew specifications for India, Brazil and Vietnam. Now cashew grades do not have a uniform specification, which has, at times, led to ambiguities leading to a barrier in trade promotion. "A simple proposal will be presented to the world body for its acceptance. It is hoped that the deliberations will pave the path for better understanding among the stakeholders and lead to greater business opportunities for the future," he said.

The Indian delegation - consisting of Mr Harikrishnan Nair and Mr M.A. Amzar from Kerala and Mr A.S. Kamath, President of Goa Cashew Manufacturers' Association — will hold discussions with cashew importers from all the continents and work out strategies for increasing the exports.

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