Indian Ambassador Hamid Ali Rao inaugurated the Indian pavilion at Saudi Agriculture 2014, the 33rd International Agriculture, Water and Agro-Industry trade show, on Sept. 7 (Sunday) at Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC).
Around 50 Indian companies from the agro-food sector under India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), a premier trade promotion agency of India and Agriculture and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA) are participating in the largest ever agro-food fair this year.
The Indian Embassy also hosted a sector-specific seminar focusing on agro and food-processing industries in India, the next day on Sept. 8 at the embassy auditorium.
“Coinciding with the Saudi Agriculture 2014, the Saudi India Business Network (SIBN) organized a sector-specific event focusing on agro-food industries in India to promote business-to- business interaction between India and Saudi Arabia in these sectors,” embassy
Spokesperson Surinder Bhagat said.
All interested Saudi and Indian investors and businessmen attended the event.
He further said that the ministry of food processing industries, Tea Board of India and All India Rice Exporters Association are also participating in the 33rd agro-food exhibition as the four-day event will showcase a wide range of food, processed food and food packaging industry products from India and highlight India’s export potential in these sectors.
Notably, the Kingdom is an important market for Indian agro and food processing Industries, with total exports of US$2.09 billion during FY 2013-14, representing 21 percent of the total Indian exports to Saudi Arabia during this period.
According to the Indian Embassy, Saudi Arabia is the 3rd largest export destination for the Agriculture and Processed Food Export Development Authority of India (APEDA).
Moreover, Indian Basmati rice is quite popular in the Kingdom.
As per embassy statistics, Indian rice constitutes 60 percent of the total exports of Indian agro-food products to Saudi Arabia.
Arab News
9 September
