Food Processing & Technology Summit 12th April`19 | EcoVista, Kolkata

The Indo-American Chamber of commerce (IACC), the apex bilateral business association, exclusively focused on promoting trade, investments and technological tie-ups between India and the US,  organized a one day Food Processing and Technology Summit in Kolkata on 12th April 2019. USAID, New Delhi, was the presenting partner. The summit sought to focus on India's fast expanding food processing sector and the critical role of the eastern region in this development. In his opening remarks Mr. Anil Vaswani, Regional President IACC, Eastern Region, said that while breakthrough technologies are impacting the food processing sector, globally, in segments like pre and post harvest solutions, supply chain, logistics, whole sale, retail etc., India still had a long way to go in developing this sector to realize its true potential. Wastages alone were estimated at 30% of the total production of fruits and vegetables in the country due to lack of storage, processing facilities and adequate transportation he added. The Summit, which included delegates and speakers from major players in the food processing sector, threw up a number of innovative ideas and suggestions to help close the gaps in the segment in a time bound manner. Over the last 10-12 years or so, US investments in India’s growing food processing sector have been impressive as also the bilateral trade in the segment. Many of the large US corporations: Amazon, Walmart have entered India in a big way in retail and cash and carry segment, supply chain, logistics and also in providing total solutions in the food processing sector.  In his address , Mr. S.K.Sarkar, National President, IACC, said that  "as a partner in progress, IACC has been instrumental in facilitating and  hand-holding of Indian and  US companies in the food processing sector. It is our endeavour today to facilitate more tie ups among small and medium enterprises in both the countries. The prospects for that is brighter now with the proliferation of food related start-ups in India, which are leveraging technology to enhance customization and reach out to more people." The IACC summit which included several focused panel discussions and technical sessions on various industry related subjects, was addressed by policy makers, industry representatives and food technology experts.  Mr Mustapha El Hamzaoui, Director, Food Aid and Disaster Assistance at USAID and Mr. Jayanta Aikat, Director , Dept. of Food Processing Indudstries and Horticulture, Govt. of West Bengal were the Chief Guest at the Summit, while other speaker at the inaugural session included and Ms Sashi Rekha, Director, National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies.  The technical sessions at the Summit included 'Challenges in Food Loss – How Can Varied Cold Chain Intensive Industries Combat India’s Food Loss – From Farm to Fork', 'Food Supply Chain: Cold Chain Management & Technology,' and 'Export-Import Scenario: Assessing Indo US Trade Relations.'  Companies which participated at the Summit included Keventer Agro, Vindhyachal Agro Pvt. Ltd., Mitsubishi Corporation India, Megaa Moda Pvt. Ltd.and ITC Foods. Representatives from Indian Institute of Packaging, EXIM Bank, Indian Institute of Foreign  Trade and Marine Products Exports Development Authority, also participated at the Summit. The endeavour was also supported by National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies, S.K.Samanta & Co. Pvt. Ltd. SREI, EXIM Bank, JIS Group, and Goodricke.

L-R: Mr Jayanta Aikat, Director, Dept. of Food Processing Industries & Hoticulture, Govt. of WB; Mr Anil Vaswani,Director,

Wesman Thermal Engineering Processes Pvt. Ltd., Regional President IACC; Ms Sashi Rekha, Director, National

Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies; Mr Mustapha El Hamzaoui, Director, Food Security Office, USAID; Mr S.K.

Sarkar, National President, IACC.

L-R: Dr. Gautam Dutta, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade; Mr A. Lahiri, Deputy director,Regional Office,Marine Products

Exports Development Authority; Mr Yogesh Gupta, CEO, Megaa Moda Pvt. Ltd; Mr Debasish Mallick, Deputy Managing

Director, EXIM Bank.

L-R: Mr Yogesh Gupta, CEO, Megaa Moda Pvt. Ltd; Mr Anindya Dey, IACC Member; Mr Anil Vaswani,Director, Wesman

Thermal Engineering Processes Pvt. Ltd., Regional President IACC; Mr Shailesh Bhatt, Head of Exports, ITC Foods.

Coverage of the Summit by The Telegraph on 13th April 2019.