MoFPI (Ministry of Food Processing Industries) organized a Roundtable meeting at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi, where the Heads of Foreign Missions in India gathered to deliberate on overseas involvement in the upcoming World Food India (WFI) 2023 event.
Read: May 2023 Issue of Food InfoTech Magazine.
MoFPI is coordinating the second installment of ‘World Food India 2023,’ scheduled to take place from 3-5 November 2023 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. This prominent event aims to highlight the Indian Food Processing Sector, with the intention of fostering partnerships and attracting investments from international stakeholders. The event is particularly significant as it aligns with the International Year of Millets 2023 activities, emphasizing Millets (Shree Anna), organic produce, and indigenous processed food as key focal points.
The roundtable discussion was jointly chaired by Smt. Anita Praveen, Secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), and Shri Prabhat Kumar, Special Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs. It saw the participation of Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Charge d’ Affaires, and other esteemed representatives from a diverse range of countries. In total, 47 nations were represented during the interaction. Additionally, senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Department of Commerce, APEDA, MPEDA, and other Commodity Boards, along with organizations involved in organizing the event (FICCI, Invest India & EY), actively took part in the discussions.
The representatives were provided with comprehensive information about various aspects of the event by the Secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (FPI) and the Special Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Throughout the interaction, the distinctive contributions of India towards global food security were emphasized, along with its abundant resource base and large consumer market, which make it an appealing prospect for international stakeholders. Furthermore, attention was drawn to the diverse exhibition that will encompass various sub-sectors of food processing, including related machinery, technological innovations, sustainability aspects, and more.
The participants were informed about the extensive preparations undertaken for the event and the opportunities that await participating countries and business entities. The representatives from the embassies acknowledged the significant relevance of the event within the current global food landscape and expressed their commitment to actively participate in it. They assured the presence of robust delegations from their respective countries, highlighting the strength of their food processing sectors.
World Food India 2023 adopts a comprehensive “Whole of Government Approach” by leveraging the collective strengths of various Ministries, Departments, and Government Organizations. Collaborating entities include the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Ayush, Ministry of DONER, Ministry of MSME, Commodity Boards, and more. This collaborative effort aims to ensure the resounding success of the event.
The event features industry professional meetings, B2B/G meetings, exhibitions, a specially curated food experience arena known as Food Street, and a Reverse Buyer Seller Meet (RBSM). These components combine to offer a unique value proposition for all participating stakeholders.
