Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Sunday, Nov 13, 2005
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Sunday, Nov 13, 2005 |
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Industry & Economy
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Events `Food processing, key to economic growth' Frozen idlis, chilled curry tickle global palate Our Bureau
The Tamil Nadu Governor, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, and the Foodpro 2005 Chairman, Mr P.K. Mohapatra, at the inauguration of Foodpro 2005 exhibition in Chennai on Saturday. — Bijoy Ghosh
Chennai , Nov. 12 INDIAN brands may not have made inroads into the international market but Indian foods — frozen idlis to the US, Malaysia and Singapore, with chutney and sambhar; chilled curry in drums — have arrived on the international scene, according to Mr P.K. Mohapatra, Chairman, FoodPro 2005. Addressing presspersons on the first day of FoodPro, the exhibition on food processing industry organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Mr Mohapatra said the global markets were looking to India for more than its traditional lines such as spices and cashews. Indian foods in processed form are in demand. The supermarkets in the UK stock £2 billion of Indian ready-to-eat and cooked foods. While brand building is as important as encouraging investments, Indian foods are making their mark. Indian entrepreneurs' confidence in international markets is stronger than it was ever before. "Success breeds success,'' he said. International retailers are looking to India not just as a market, which is huge, but also as a source base. But the industry has a long way to go to fully exploit its potential in exports. Quality standards, international norms all need to be addressed. Food processing held the key to economic growth — it was larger than telecommunication and information technology industries, he said. Agriculture, the largest sector, needs to grow at an accelerated pace for sustained development. Other than agriculture productivity, it is food processing that can push agricultural growth. Mr ParasuRaman R., Chairman, CII-Southern Region, said the event this year had attracted significantly greater international participation with Australia, as partner country, bringing in a large contingent. The Netherlands and Canada too have a significant presence. The focus this year is on moving towards a value-added business at every stage of food production. India has made its mark globally in manufacturing and services and the next should happen in agriculture. This would help to arrest the declining trend in agriculture investment and growth. The four-day exhibition, which was inaugurated by the Tamil Nadu Governor, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, focuses on food technologies, processing machinery, packaging technology, dairy technology, refrigeration and cold storage, processed foods, and hotel and kitchen equipment. Over 170 exhibitors are showcasing products in these categories. The event is expected to attract over 30,000 trade and business visitors, according to CII.
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