Chennai:
The fourth edition of
the Confederation of Indian Industrys (CII) Foodpro starts on 8
December in Chennai. It will bring together large corporates in the
food industry and their raw material suppliers. In addition, several
product-launches and live machinery demonstrations are on the anvil at
the Foodpro 2001 exhibition venue at the Chennai Trade Centre.
Giving details to the media about the exhibition, event chairperson
Mallika Srinivasan (director, Tractor and Farm Equipments, Chennai)
said: "The raw material sourcing forum sort of a buyer-seller
meet has been organised to create effective linkages between large
players in the food chain and the ancillary industry with the
objective of promoting the latter."
Presentations will be made by leading hotel chains like Taj Hotels,
organised retailers like Foodworld Supermarkets, packaging major
Tetrapak, agri-product company ITC, processing unit Western India
Cashew Company about procurement systems and plans during technical
sessions.
Srinivasan says Foodpro 2001s objective is to showcase the latest
technologies in the food sector, especially in processing and
packaging. The exhibition will also offer marketing opportunities for
the industry players. The event will also focus on sectors like
fruits, vegetables, dairy, poultry, bakery, confectionery and marine
food products.
Speaking about the achievements of earlier Foodpro editions, she said:
"The biannual event, organised by CII since 1995, has showcased
the immense potential in the Indian food sector. It was instrumental
in the preparation of CII-McKinsey FAIDA report that detailed the
opportunities in the food processing industry."
Supported by the Union ministry of food processing industries, Foodpro
also enabled the government to frame its policy on this sunrise
industry. In fact, the setting up of food parks in some states is one
of CIIs recommendations, she said.
CII Tamil Nadu state council vice-chairman P K Malhotra said: "Foodpro
did have an impact on organised food retailing. In 1995, when the
event was first held, the share of organised food retailing in Chennai
was less than 5 per cent. Six years down the line, it has gone up to
30 per cent. One of the drivers for this is the front-end shelf-space
given by retailers to manufacturers."
He said the awareness created
by Foodpro about the opportunities in the food processing industry has
resulted in shortening the food chain to some extent. "Between
harvest and the final retail sales there is an enormous opportunity
for investments and Foodpro will focus on that," said
Srinivasan.
As in the past, this years
exhibition will display the latest technologies, equipment and
machinery used in food processing, refrigeration and packaging
sectors. The four-day exhibition has attracted over 100 companies to
showcase their wares. "Consequent to the feedback received from
earlier Foodpro events, we have decided to have live machinery and
equipment demonstrations," Srinivasan said.
"Twenty-one companies from Australia will be exhibiting their
products. This is the largest-ever country-level participation in all
Foodpro events," she said. The exhibition is expected to attract
20,000 business visitors.
The exhibition will also witness new product launches like meat
products by Australian companies, new coding machines by Image India
and others. "In short, Foodpro 2001 will discuss and display
products and technologies that are
used by the industry from the farm gate to the dinner plate, she
said.
Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Chamanlal Gupta
will deliver the inaugural address at Hotel Le Royal Meridien.
Ministry of food processing and industries secretary D P Tripathi will
deliver the keynote address, while Srinivasan will give the theme
address. The minister will open the exhibition in the afternoon.
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