Indian Embassy in collaboration with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce, Government of India participated in an India-Kuwait Virtual Buyer Seller Meet titled ‘Special Partnership for Challenging Times and beyond’ on 10 September. This meet heralded the start of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ series of events for building business ties between Kuwait and India in various fields.
More than 100 participants from both sides attended the meet including senior officials from the Indian Embassy of India and APEDA and major food exporters/importers from India and Kuwait. In addition, there were also representatives from the Rice Exporters Association, All India Food Processors Association, Fresh Vegetables and Fruits Exporters Association, All India Meat & Livestock Exporters Association and Association of Indian Organic Industry present for the meeting.
In his inaugural address, Ambassador of India to Kuwait H.E Sibi George, highlighted that the initiative for launching a series of business promotional events as part of the Embassy’s efforts to strengthen bilateral trade between India and Kuwait.
The Ambassador outlined the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat, which envisages India at the heart of global value chains.
Pinpointing the major reforms initiated by the Government of India in the agricultural domain, the Indian Ambassador noted India’s potential for greater exports of food and allied products.
Smt. Shubhra, Trade Advisor, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, emphasized the competitiveness of India’s agricultural exports, while Shri Diwakar Nath Mishra, Joint Secretary/Chairman APEDA, Ministry of Commerce detailed the initiatives undertaken by APEDA to facilitate and promote exports.
An e-catalogue with the list of participating companies from India and Kuwait and product profile was released by the Indian Ambassador and the Chairman of APEDA to mark this occasion. The participating members of the Indian Exporters’ Associations delivered presentations about their product offerings, and stressed their adherence to international quality standards and food safety.
From the Kuwait segment, the representatives of major supermarket brands in Kuwait Lulu Group, City Centre, Oncost and Al-Ayees Trading Co. touched on their continued association with Indian agricultural exporters and expressed keen interest in forging new partnerships and discovering geographical areas to source products from India as well as learning about new products.