Press Release
UAE India Food Security Summit 2020
India Poised for Major Investments from the UAE in the Food Sector
UAE India Food Security Summit 2020, a two day Summit organized by the Consulate General of India, Dubai, in association with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Invest India began today to promote collaborations in trade and investment in the food sector.
The two day Summit attended by over 200 importers/exporters, investors and businessmen from the food and allied sectors began today with the address by H.E. Pavan Kapoor, Ambassador of India to UAE who spoke extensively on the India – UAE Food Corridor which has UAE’s proposed investments to the tune of USD 5bn in India’s Mega Food Parks, farming logistics, warehousing, fruits & vegetable hubs etc.
In his address H.E. Dr Ahmed Al Banna, Ambassador of UAE to India said that the UAE - India Food Corridor Projects in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat will lead to tripling the export of agricultural and food products from India to the UAE from the current level of USD 2.2 billion to about USD 6-7 billion in 3 years.
In his key note address Shri Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, Hon’ble Minister of Sports, Youth Services & NRI Affairs, Government of Punjab who is leading the delegation to attend this Summit appreciated the Agriota E-market place which will enable India’s rural farmers, and particularly from Punjab to connect with the UAE importers. Speaking about the 37 mega food parks across India he invited investments into Punjab state where the state has earmarked 5000+ hectares of land for organic farming, incentives and a dedicated desk at ‘Invest Punjab’ to cater to the investors from UAE.
Elaborating on the UAE India Food Corridor, H.E. Juma Al Kait, Asst. Undersecretary, Ministry of Economy, UAE said that this will benefit 2 million farmers and create an additional 200,000 jobs across India.
The Consul of India in Dubai, Dr Aman Puri said that India – UAE relationship in the food sector is at an inflection point, and we must leverage our complementarities to achieve the common goal of strengthening food security, creating sustainable models of food production bringing efficiencies in logistics to minimize turnaround times, to reduce wastages and create new paradigms which will help address global challenges in the sector.
Representing Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), Mr. Navin K Choudhary, Principal Secretary (Agriculture) said that J&K is undergoing transformation in the political and legal arena along with reforms in its economy. He said that J&K was aiming to double Agricultural and Horticultural Products through technological interventions, high yield plantations and adopting other post-harvest technologies. He added that food security is a key element for strong partnership between India and UAE and sought partnerships from UAE businesses in J&K.
Mr Deepak Bagla, MD & CEO, Invest India while addressing the Summit said that Invest India has received 274 business enquiries covering 32 sectors as compared to 12 sectors five years ago. FDI to the tune of USD 30 bn was invested in India during the initial few months of the pandemic alone.
Speaking at the Summit, Dr M. Angamuthu, Chairman of Agriculture & Processed Foods Export Development Agency(APEDA) said that UAE is the most reliable and respectable partner for exports of Agri and Food Products and UAE serves as the window to the world for Indian exports. He added that India can tailor-make products with proper specifications for the UAE markets and the region.
Addressing the Summit, Maj Gen.(Retd) Sharafuddin Sharaf, Chairman, UAE – India Business Council (UIBC) and Vice-Chairman of Sharaf Group said that UAE is amongst the biggest investors in India in terms of FDI. He said that UAE investments in India are valued at an estimated USD 10 billion in the form of FDI and Portfolio Investments making UAE the 10th biggest investor in India in terms of FDI.
Day one of the Summit concluded with various Sessions focusing on Logistics, Agri-Tech, Regulatory Requirements, Food Packaging. A CEOs Session was held as part of the Summit where leading Indian companies ITC Agro, Amul, Saleh Abdullah Lootah, Chairman of Food & Beverage Manufacturing Business Group of Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Sudhakar Tomar, Managing Director, Hakan Agro & President of India – Middle East Agro Trade & Investment Forum; Dr Rahul Mirchandani, Aries Agro Ltd; Ms. Meetu Kapur, Executive Director, Food & Agriculture Center of Excellence (FACE), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) also spoke on the occasion. Dr Srikar K. Reddy, OSD, FT (WANA), Department of Commerce, Government of India also addressed the gathering.
A 20-member strong business delegation from J&K led by Principal Secretary (Agriculture) are also participating at the Summit along with display of food products from J&K.
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Dubai,
8th December 2020
