Taste Indian curry free at Singapore expo
by Gyanendra Kumar Keshri

         New Delhi: In a bid to popularise Indian dish across the world and boost export of processed food, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority is planning to launch a testing campaign for Indian curry at the upcoming Food and Hotel Asia (FHA) Expo held 25-28 April 2006 in Singapore. "Indian food products including curry is extremely popular in the United States and the European countries. We are now trying to popularise it across the world so as to give fillip to food processing industry in the country," Deputy General Manager of APEDA, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Tarun Bajaj told ANI. Apart from curry, India will showcase cereal products including Basmati rice, fresh fruits and vegetables and Indian wine at the Asia's biggest food and hospitality exhibition. Pointing out that over 17 percent of Singapore population is of Indian origin, Bajaj expressed hope that exhibition would provide good opportunity for Indian companies to showcase their product. India is one of the world's major food producers but accounts for less than 1.5 per cent of international food trade. This indicates vast scope for increase in exports. "Singapore is an important market for India. It has now become a re-exporting zone for Indian products from where it is exported to several other countries in the region," said Bajaj. He said the Indian food products are already popular among the ethnic Indian and the aim of the exhibition is to popularise it among the mainstream population and further strengthen its base. "Through participation in FHA, the companies get the opportunity to meet not only existing buyers but also prospective buyers. Our exporters get an opportunity to introduce their products and showcase the strength of India in terms of agricultural and food products," added Bajaj. He informed that the Indian export of processed food stands at Rs 15,000 crore per annum out of which Rs 150 crore goes to Singapore.

     Talking about the show Ting Siew Mui, Senior Project Manager of Singapore Exhibition Services said more than 2,800 companies from across the world were expected to turn up at this year's exhibition. "FHA 2006, Asia's biggest and leading international food and hospitality trade exhibition consists of seven specialised components catering to the respective needs of the food and hospitality sector," she said. The specialised events feature includes food and drinks, wine and spirits, hospitality and foodservice, technology and equipment, interior and furnishing and bakery component. The biennial event is organised jointly by Singapore Exhibition Services and Accuvia. In FHA 2004 a total of 2,718 exhibiting companies from 61countries participated in the show. More than 330 Indian trade visitors attended the previous show in 2004.
-Feb 15, 2006