High Commission of India

Dhaka

Remarks by High Commissioner of India, Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla at the Inauguration of 6^th BAPA FoodPro International Expo 2018, 8^th Agro Bangladesh Expo, and 5^th Rice and Grain Tech Expo

[Bangabandhu International Conference Center, Dhaka, 25 October 2018]

Hon’ble Commerce Minister of Bangladesh, H.E. Mr Tofail Ahmed, MP 

High Commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh, H.E. Mr Benoit Préfontaine 

Country Director, Asian Development Bank, Mr Manmohan Prakash 

Director General of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution, Mr Sardar Abul Kalam 

President, Bangladesh Agro-Processors Association, Mr A F M Fakhrul Islam Munshi 

Chairman of Pran RFL Group, Mr Ahsan Khan Chowdhury,  

General Secretary, Bangladesh Agro-Processors Association, Mr Iqtadul Haque  

           I am happy to attend the inauguration of three important expos in the agro and food processing sectors – sixth BAPA FoodPro International Expo, eighth Agro Bangladesh Expo, and fifth Rice and Grain Tech Expo. 

2. There is great potential for collaboration between stakeholders from the Indian and Bangladesh agro and food processing sectors for joint ventures, technology transfer and creation of value chains. India and Bangladesh can also meet each other’s needs as there are complementarities in the agro products grown or processed in our two countries.

3. Indian suppliers of agricultural products can meet the demand for these products by Bangladesh’s food processing industry and consumers. Indian companies can also supply technology, machinery and equipment for Bangladesh’s food processing sector which has done very well over the last few years and is estimated to be worth around USD 2.5 billion.

4. India is now one of the most important players in the global food trade. India is amongst the top producers of several food items including milk, mango, banana, meat, tea, spices, sugarcane, wheat, rice etc. India has also been an important supplier of some of these items to Bangladesh. Global exports from India of food and beverages are projected to reach USD 70 billion in 2020 from USD 32 billion now.The Indian food processing sector is currently valued at USD 258 billion and contributes around 14% of India’s GDP. With the growth of the food processing sector, the processing machinery industry is also poised to grow further. 

5. 50 Indian companies under Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry (ASSOCHAM) and 12 companies under Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) are attending these expos. These companies provide agro and processed food products, and packaging, farm, cold storage and other food processing machinery. I am happy to see that a large number of companies participating from India are in the area of food processing machinery.  

6. Apart from being a large supplier of food products, India is also a huge market. Indian food and grocery market is world’s sixth largest and is expected to touch USD 900 billion by 2020. Bangladesh companies can access this market of 1.3 billion people by exporting and exploring opportunities for investment there. I am happy to mention here that, to facilitate exports of food products from Bangladesh to India, we have been accepting test certificates issued by BSTI for 21 products. We are working with the Government of Bangladesh on granting acceptance for more such products. We would be happy to provide recognition for additional products based on the requirement of the Government of Bangladesh and within the regulatory framework applicable in India.

7. Let me also take this opportunity to invite you to attend one of India’s largest trade fairs focused on food and agro products – Indus Food 2019. I understand that a large Bangladesh delegation, including members from Bangladesh Agro-Processors Association and other companies, has already confirmed participation at Indus Food 2019.  I would like to invite other traders from the food and beverage sector to visit this event.

8. I extend my best wishes to the exhibitors, buyers and visitors participating insixth BAPA FoodPro International Expo, eighth Agro Bangladesh Expo, and fifth Rice and Grain Tech Expo.         

Thank you. 

****