Shillong, February 16, Thursday: All India Food Processors’ Association (AIFPA) in association with North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC) organized a National Seminar on “Emerging Opportunities in Food Processing and Foreign Direct Investment in Food Retail” today and will organise “Food Processing Investors’ Meet” on Friday 17th February 2017 at Hotel Pinewood, Shillong.
The National Seminar was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Mr. P. W. Ingty, IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary, Govt. of Meghalaya. While inaugurating the seminar he highlighted the objectives and hoped that the deliberations of the seminar shall be useful to the food processors, budding entrepreneurs, prospective investors and stakeholders.
Mr. M Iboyamia Meitei, Advisor Horticulture, North Eastern Council (NEC), Govt. of India, was the guest of honour and spoke regarding a number of Schemes of the Govt. for the entrepreneurs and food processors in Meghalaya.
Ms. M. B. Roy, Director, Industries & Commerce, Govt. of Meghalaya, was the Special Guest on this occasion. Though she gave the overall scenario of the Industry and Commerce in the state but highlighted the opportunities now available in the food processing sector.
Mr. P.L. Kaul, Former President, All India Food Processors’ Association (AIFPA) while welcoming the dignitaries gave the brief details of AIFPA and the objectives of organising the seminar as per the mandate of the Ministry of Food Processing Industry, Govt. of India regarding permitting 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Food Retail, manufactured in the country. He also mentioned about the opportunities for the food processing industries for small medium and large entrepreneurs in Meghalaya.
Delivering the Key note address, Pankaj Kumar Prasad, Managing Director, NERAMAC said, “As NERAMAC works across the region and has deep understanding of the area and its problems. Looking into the emerging opportunities NERAMAC is also organizing the ‘Food Processing Investors’ Meet on 17th February 2017 at Shillong. Food Processing industry holds the potential for the farmers of this region due to it remote location. NERAMAC is helping small entrepreneurs by helping them marketing their produce. NERAMAC hopes that the National Seminar and the Investors Meet will bring awareness and help educate small, medium and even large scale entrepreneurs to work towards something bigger in view the emerging opportunities.”
Deliberating on the theme of the seminar, S. Bhattacharjee, Executive Director, NERAMAC, said that, ” FDI in food retail and food processing has significant role in improving the Agriculture & Food Processing in North Eastern States including Meghalaya”
The two technical sessions were chaired and conducted by the senior officials of the state Govt. whereas the presentations were given by the experts coming from across the country to share their rich experience.
The initiatives of organizing the National Seminar by AIFPA and the National Meet of the Food Processors by NERAMAC have been supported by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Govt. of India and the North Eastern Council respectively.
In continuation of the national seminar today, the Investors Meet shall be organized by NERAMAC in association with AIFPA on 17th February 2017 at the same venue. Delegates were requested to participate in large numbers to have the benefits of the National Meet on ‘Food Processing Investors Meet’ which has been supported by North Eastern Council (NEC), Govt. of India.
