Indo-French Cooperation in Agro-processing Sector.

Minister of Food Processing Industries Reiterates the Need to Strengthen further Indo-French Cooperation in Agro-processing Sector.

Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Minister for Food Processing Industries, Government of India has reiterated the need to strengthen Indo-French cooperation in agro-processing sector during her recent visit to France. Mrs Badal was in France from 19-21, October 2014 to inaugurate the India pavilion at SIAL-2014 Food Fair being held in Paris from 19-23 October 2014. Shri Arun K. Singh, Ambassador of India to France, was also present during the inauguration on 19th October, 2014. The Union Minister joined the French Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Stephane Le Foll, in inaugurating the main fair. The Minister visited the Indian participants at their stalls and interacted with them. Over 120 Indian exhibitors are displaying a range of Indian food products at the exhibition both privately, and under the aegis of ITPO, APEDA, CEPCI, MPEDA, Spices Board, Tea Board and Coffee Board. SIAL (Salon International de l`Alimentation) is one of the largest food fairs in the world and it is held every two years in Paris. This year more than 6000 exhibitors from 105 different countries are participating and over one million visitors are expected to visit the fair. 2. The Minister met her French counterpart at the India pavilion. The two Ministers discussed issues of mutual interest and reiterated the strong desire of their respective governments to deepen the existing cooperation in the agro-processing sector. Minister also interacted with representatives of leading French companies in the Agro-Processing sector including Andros, Bongrain, Roquette and Sodiaal. Minister invited the French companies to take advantage of the large size and growth potential of the Indian market and the abundant availability of a variety of agricultural products by investing in Agro processing sector in India. 3. On 20 October 2014, Minister visited the Food Processing Plant operated by Bonduelle Company in Estrees-Mons region near Paris, one of the largest food processing plants in Europe, engaged in processing and canning of vegetables. 4. Minister delivered the key note address at the 3rd India France Agro Food Conference, organized by the Embassy of India, Paris in collaboration with the India-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Paris (CCIFI), which saw participation by over 60 Indian and French food producers, exporters, investors and traders. The theme of the conference was ‘New opportunities for manufacturing in the food processing sector in India’.