Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
* UK delegation interacts with CII Punjab & Chd members, discusses partnerships
* UK Academia, entrepreneurs show interest to forge ties with Punjab institutes/ industry at CII seminar
Chandigarh, “There is an immense potential in the Punjab region for British technologies, Hi – Tech machinery, ultra modern techniques, advanced equipment and technical knowhow especially in food processing sector, and we are particularly keen to explore the opportunities of forging business ties, Joint Ventures (JVs), build Partnerships and develop other inter trade mechanisms whatsoever with the industrialists and farming community from Northern India, especially Punjab and Chandigarh region in the food processing sector”, highlighted Prof. Tim J foster, Professor in Food Structure, the University of Nottingham & Director, Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in food, while interacting with CII members from Punjab & Chandigarh at a Roundtable on India – UK Food Processing Technologies organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), at its Headquarters in Sector 31 A, here today.
He was in city, leading a 6 member delegation comprising academia and industry from United Kingdom (UK) to explore opportunities in the field of food and dairy processing sector which has immense potential in Northern India, but still in nascent stage.
“We see Punjab region as our partner in business and success, considering its status as the largest agrarian Indian state with huge scope and thrust on processing sector. UK is ready to offer its latest technologies and know-how which could be useful for a wide range of food manufacturing applications, such as snacks, confectionery, dairy, cheese, baked goods, fruit fillings, meat products and more ensuring top quality and consistency. Our universities can really work hand in hand with your agri institutes and universities to share their best practices”, he added.
“We understand that the behaviourial patterns and hence the eating habits and demands of the Indian consumer is changing rapidly, so there is an immense opportunity for the industry from the region to give them the processed and ready to eat packaged foods with the desired quality and nutritional values. We can really help and work with you to strengthen your supply chainas also get the better yields as also quality, courtesy our huge investments and focus on R&D in agriculture back home”, he highlighted.
“Our Govt has kept around 220 Million ponds for scientific research, training to farmers and to create Centers of Excellence so that the farmers can learn about the latest technologies, procedures and best practices. A similar kind of thrust is required in India as well”, he emphasised.
Mr Sanjeev Nagpal, Convenor, CII Punjab Agri panel & MD, Nasa Agro Industries Ltd shared that “At present, the supply chain, cold storages and logistics in India is at a very basic level. Further, it is not economically viable for majority of us to take the services of high end cold storages because of lack of the ability and awareness at the customer level to pay differential cost for better quality. Hence if UK can help us with some economically viable and low cost technologies, it can really do wonder herein the region”.
Mr Darpan Kapoor, Chairman, CII Chandigarh Council & Vice Chairman, Kapsons Group mentioned that “CII upholds the value of sharing and learning from the best practices and today’s interaction was one such initiative. It highlighted the key factors like partnerships, M&A support, and network expansion between UK and Punjab, which would help in creating a conducive environment for local businesses and help them expand in food processing sector”.
The delegation comprised Mr Tim Ingmire, R&D Director, PepsiCo Europe, Dr Martin Howarth, Director, NCFE, Sheffield Hallam University, Prof Savvas A Tassou, Director, RCUK, Brunel University, London, etc.
