Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal emphasized upon the need for enhanced collaboration and trust-building between India and the Latin American & Caribbean (LAC) region. While addressing the Special Ministerial Session at the ‘9th CII India-LAC Conclave’ held yesterday in New Delhi, the Minister said that India and LAC region share cultural ties and have emerged out of the shadows of colonial past.

 

Shri Goyal said that India is keen for faster economic growth through enhanced trade and investment, integration of businesses through collaborations and Free Trade Agreements (FTA). He presented a comprehensive four-point agenda aimed at fostering deeper cooperation between India and LAC region: (i) Boosting Trade Flows, (ii) Leveraging Bilateral Partnership, (iii) Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals Cooperation and (iv) Addressing Global Issues.

 

For boosting trade flows, Shri Goyal advocated for the formulation of a well-structured roadmap that capitalizes on the comparative and competitive strengths of each country. He said that this strategic approach would facilitate the augmentation of trade flows between India and the LAC nations. He said that India and the LAC region must work towards larger Global South cooperation in various multilateral forums.

 

To leverage bilateral partnership, the Minister highlighted the potential for bilateral collaboration to stimulate greater investment inflows. He emphasized upon the importance of integrating supply chains, particularly in sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and healthcare. Shri Goyal said that by pooling resources, India and the LAC region can develop cost-effective solutions with global implications.

 

For healthcare and pharmaceuticals cooperation, the Minister underlined the significance of mutual recognition agreements in the pharmaceutical sector, coupled with the adoption of smarter regulatory practices. Shri Goyal said that this approach aims to prevent reliance on high-cost medicines and paves the way for collaborative solutions to complex challenges.

 

To address global issues, the Minister conveyed his belief that collective efforts between India and the LAC region could lead to innovative solutions for even the most intricate global problems. Shri Goyal said that contemporary global challenges call for all of us to work together by forging partnerships, integrating supply chains and utilising our mineral resources, technology, skills, labour force, etc. in a collaborative manner. The Minister said that this would help address challenges of poverty, climate change, inequality, etc.

 

Shri Piyush Goyal highlighted India's aspiration to achieve a USD 35 trillion economy by 2047 under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. He expressed his confidence that this ambitious goal would open up numerous avenues for robust India-LAC partnerships, which could serve as a catalyst for positive global impact. The Minister invited the LAC nations to join the development journey of India to work together as trusted partners and expand shared interests.

 

Shri Goyal said that India and the LAC region must work together towards making the world a better place for the future generations. The Minister said that efforts must be made to build an atmosphere of trust and work towards exponential growth of trade between India and the LAC region. He highlighted that infrastructural development, digital connectivity, strong macroeconomic fundamentals, etc. along with demographic dividend presents India as a leading partner for economic growth.

 

The session featured insights from various dignitaries from the LAC region: H.E. Johann Álvarez, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Promotion, Ministry of Popular Power of Economy and Finance and Foreign Trade, Venezuela; H.E. Mr. Alexandre Corona Quintero, Governor of the People’s Power of the Cienfuegos Province, Republic of Cuba; H.E. Mr. Samuel Alejandro García Sepúlveda, Governor of Nuevo Leon State, Government of Mexico; H.E. Mr. Rodolfo Pastor de Maria y Campos, Secretary of State in the office of the Presidency, Republic of Honduras; H.E. Mr. Henry Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, the Government of Antigua & Barbuda; H.E. Mr. Sergio Armando Cusicanqui Loayza, Minister of Development Planning, Plurinational State of Bolivia; and H.E. Mr. Andy Joseph Williams, Minister for Mobilisation, Implementation and Transformation, Government of Grenada.

 

Overall, the session underscored the shared vision of India and the LAC region to forge closer ties, capitalize on each other's strengths, and collectively contribute to global welfare and progress. The ‘9th CII India-LAC Conclave’ encompassed discussions across 12 distinct sectors, embodying the overarching theme of 'Furthering Economic Partnerships for Shared & Sustainable Growth.' This theme underscores the collective goal of nurturing strong and lasting economic ties for mutual prosperity.

 

Under the trade and investment outreach strategy of the Department of Commerce, the CII India-LAC Conclave is scaled up with the collaboration of Invest India, Export Promotion Councils such as EEPC, Pharmexcil, Chemexcil, ESC, ACMA and SIAM. On the sidelines of the Conclave, the Department of Commerce hosted bilateral meetings with the Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Anticipating an increase in demand, in the context of ban on non-basmati rice shipments, a section of basmati rice exporters have started gearing up themselves by leasing additional warehouse spaces near major ports such as Kandla and Mundra.

 

While basmati is not an alternative to the non-basmati rice, the trade expects an incremental demand to kick-in for the aromatic rice, if the ban prolongs. India banned shipments of non-basmati rice on July 20 to cool down the rising prices of the cereals, while the move has triggered a panic in the overseas market.

 

'Lot of basmati players are getting active and we have seen a little inflow of additional cargoes at the port now. We are seeing demand for more storage from some clients, who are anticipating additional demand to come up in view of the ban and want to be prepared with their cargo at the ports to tap any opportunity that’s going to open up,' said Shivan Shah of LP Logiscience, the warehousing division of Liladhar Pasoo.

 

Shah said LP Logiscience handles about 5 lakh tonnes of basmati rice annually at ports such as Kandla and Mundra for exporters from North India and overseas buyers of the aromatic rice. Besides handling warehousing, LP Logiscience also offers services such as sorting, grading, and packaging for the basmati rice exporters and buyers at its facility in Gandhidham near Kandla.

 

Insignificant gain

Vinod Kaul, Executive Director at All India Rice Exporters Association, said there could be a little gain for basmati for some time, but may not be significant as basmati rice is a high-value item when compared with non-basmati rice. Basmati exports registered a 12 per cent growth during the April-June quarter over the same period last year and the growth is likely to be sustained, Kaul said.

 

Trade analyst S Chandrasekaran said, 'Other speciality rice exports from India is too small, that is 1.45 lakh tonnes. The sona masoori is a small and fine grain. Matta rice is a double boiled product with specific taste. Basmati will never fit to the quality consciousness of NRI South Indian consumers.'

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), through States/UTs and its regional offices conducts regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of food products to check compliance of the standards laid down under Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, Rules and Regulations made thereunder.

 

In cases where the food samples are found to be non-conforming, penal action is initiated against the defaulting Food Business Operators as per provisions of FSS Act, Rules and Regulations made thereunder.

 

Based on information made available by the States/UTs, details of various kinds of food samples collected, analysed, found non-conforming and action taken in the last five years is given below.

 

FSSAI has developed a pan-India surveillance system that helps to collect the data regarding the safety and quality of food and to ensure that the food supplied in the market is safe and wholesome. The aim of such surveillance activities to identify hotspots of food safety non-compliances and adulteration.

 

FSSAI carried out surveillance activities pan-India of various commodities as under:

National Milk Survey 2016.

National Milk Quality Survey 2018.

Milk and Milk Products Survey 2020.

Edible Oils Survey 2020.

PAN India Food Survey 2021 - For Trans-fat & Acrylamide Content.

National Milk Survey 2022.

Jaggery Surveillance 2022.

 In the said surveys the possible adulterants in the commodity were tested and reported. In all the surveillance activities, efforts were made to ascertain the degree of adulteration to identify hotspots (regions) predominant in food adulteration, in addition to ensuring compliance with the quality & safety parameters.

 

Post pan-India Surveillance activities, the State wise non-compliance data are shared with concerned States/UT’s to initiate the regulatory sampling and taken penal action, wherever necessary.

 

FSSAI has taken many steps to improve consumer awareness with respect to food adulteration. The steps are as follows;

FSSAI through its YouTube channel has created a dedicated playlist How to check for adulteration containing 76 short videos for checking adulteration. These videos are being uploaded on Social Media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) on regular basis.

FSSAI has taken out a manual named DART (Detecting Adulterants with Rapid Testing). This manual is a compilation of some common adulterants and contaminants that can be tested by citizens themselves. It covers common adulterants in food products such as Oils & Fats, Sweetening Agents, Food Grains & their products, Pulses, Spices, Salt, Tea, Coffee, artificial and toxic colours, extraneous matters in food, added deliberately or otherwise. The scope and main aim of this manual is to create awareness in consumers about food adulteration detection methodology for use at household level too. This has been disseminated through social media and uploaded on the FSSAI website also for general information of the public.

Awareness through Exhibitions/Melas/Outreach activities at various events like AAHAR International Food & Hospitality Fair/ Indus Food / India International Trade Fair/ International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit 2022/ Mega Expo & Science Book Fair 2022 etc. Stall have been placed in these exhibitions where awareness through live demonstration of detecting adulteration through Magic Box was put into display for general public.

Food Safety On Wheels (FSW): FSSAI has introduced mobile food testing vans called Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) to reach remote areas and conduct training and awareness activities as well. These mobile units are well equipped mobile food testing labs for conducting simple tests for common adulterants in milk, water, edible oil and other items of food of daily consumption. These FSWs are placed in different Exhibitions.

Food Safety Guidebook for Teachers/Students: The lesson plan booklet provides with the detailed information of how to conduct the different test on food adulteration. These tests are mapped across the curriculum of the particular grade. These lesson plans are effective way to enhance the students learning. 

India and Bangladesh commencing cross-border trade settlement in Indian rupee (INR) would promote two-way commerce by reducing transaction cost, an industry official said on Sunday. CII national committee on EXIM Sanjay Budhia said that since all exports and imports and settlement of trade transactions under this arrangement may be denominated and invoiced in INR, this would also reduce dependence on the US Dollar and would address situations like scarcity of forex reserves apart from strengthening regional currency and trade.

 

In July, Bangladesh and India launched trade transactions in rupees with the aim of reducing dependence on the US dollar and strengthening regional currency and trade.

 

This is the first time Bangladesh has done bilateral trade with a foreign country in addition to the US dollar.

 

'This would certainly promote the growth of trade between the nations and support the increasing interest of the global trading community in INR,' Budhia said adding due to this arrangement, the transaction costs during trade between the countries will reduce which will boost the Indian exports to Bangladesh.

 

Bangladesh is currently facing scarcity of forex reserves and the provision of trade settlement in INR would greatly help address the situation resulting in increase in import demands from India, he said.

 

Trade settlement in INR alleviates exchange rate uncertainties for Indian enterprises by obviating the necessity of using USD in advance of conducting financial transactions and it would have similar effects on Bangladesh too, he added.

 

'This will go a long way in further enhancing the already significant economic relations between India and Bangladesh through economically efficient cross-border transactions,' Budhia said.

 

Further he suggested creation of a technology fund through which the Government could fund R&D and innovation projects, with the private sector contributing 60 per cent and 40 per cent coming from the fund.

 

'Industry could look at taking business delegations to Bangladesh to better explore the market. The large enterprises could also provide handholding services to smaller entrepreneurs in their journey towards export excellence,' he said.

 

The key sectors which would benefit from the development include cotton, spices, agri produce, leather, textiles, gems and jewellery, iron and steel and chemicals.

 

Bangladesh is India's biggest trade partner in South Asia and India is the second biggest trade partner of Bangladesh.

 

Banks in Bangladesh and India have been given permission to open nostro accounts, an account in a bank of another country for the purpose of foreign currency transactions.

 

According to the official data from Dhaka, exports from Bangladesh to India amount to USD 2 billion, while Bangladesh's imports from India are worth USD 13.69 billion.

The Wheat Products and Promotion Society (WPPS), a 33-year-old non profit organisation, has called for the modernisation of storage and handling of foodgrains, particularly wheat, and the setting up of a separate Indian board for the cereal.

 

In a conference that brought key stakeholders from the wheat sector to chart out a path towards sustainable growth and development, the WPPS said the Centre should initiate a nationwide programme to modernise storage and handling facilities to reduce post-harvest and storage losses of wheat.

 

Setting up a separate Wheat Board of India will ensure a dedicated commodity body that will have representation from all levels of the supply chain, as a think-tank and policy advisory entity.

 

The meet, which witnessed deliberation and analyses that led to the recommendations for the future of wheat-based industries, stressed on the need for climate-resilient varieties and milling technologies. 'Prioritise research and development of climate-resilient wheat varieties and innovative milling technologies to enhance productivity and efficiency,' it said.

 

Voice in food policy

The WPPS called for an integrated multi-sectoral focus with the establishment of an integrated multi-disciplinary organisation at both the Central and State Government levels to ensure compliance and food security for the growing population.

 

Other recommendations include incentivising sustainable processing technologies by offering incentives to encourage the transition from traditional to sustainable processing technologies at primary and secondary levels. 

 

It stressed the need for a WPPS representation in food policy organisations. Representatives from wheat processing industries to key food policy-making organisations should be invited in shaping impactful policies.

 

Ajay Goyal, WPPS Chairman, said, 'With the increasing demands for wheat and its vital role in nourishing our nation, we are happy to present these recommendations that pave the way for a thriving and sustainable wheat industry.'

Government of India has been successfully maintaining stable retail prices of sugar in the country. Though international sugar prices have touched the highest level in a decade in April-May 2023, domestic prices of sugar has a nominal inflation of about 3%, which is commensurating with the hike in Fair & Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane.

 

In fact, international sugar prices are almost 50% higher than those in India. The average retail price of sugar in the country is about Rs. 43 per kg and is likely to remain in range bound only. In fact, it can be seen from the chart below that there has been less than 2% annual inflation in the country in sugar prices in last 10 years. Domestic prices have been kept stable with little increase as a result of pragmatic government policy interventions.

 

Timely government interventions have brought sugar sector out of crisis. Strong fundamentals of sugar sector and more than sufficient production of sugarcane and sugar in the country has ensured that sugar remain within easy access to each & every Indian consumer.

 

During the current Sugar Season (Oct-Sep) 2022-23, India is estimated to have production of 330 LMT sugar after diversion of about 43 LMT for ethanol production. Thus, total sucrose production in the country would be about 373 LMT which is the second highest in last 5 years. Further, there has been considerable increase in production of sugar during the last 10 years; however, the consumption has not increased in the same proportion; thereby, ensuring availability of sufficient stock for any unforeseen event.

 

At the end of July 2023, India has sugar stock of about 108 LMT, which is sufficient to meet domestic demand for remaining months of current SS 2022-23 and also for optimum stock of about 62 LMT at the end of season. Thus, enough sugar is available for domestic consumers at reasonable prices throughout the year.

 

In addition, interest of sugarcane farmers are being addressed by ensuring Fair & Remunerative prices as well as their timely payments by sugar mills. 99.9% of cane dues of sugarcane farmers for the sugar seasons upto 2021-22 have already been cleared by sugar mills. Even for the current sugar season 2022-23, with payment of  more than Rs. 1.05 lakh crores, about 93% cane dues payment have already been cleared as on date.

 

Thus, interests of all the three major stakeholders, consumers, farmers and sugar mills have been protected by the Government of India by revamping the sugar sector with its appropriate policies, stable prices and timely clearance of cane dues of farmers.

Commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal Friday said India and Peru have decided to resume negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement (FTA). 'We have decided to proceed with the FTA negotiations. We would be working out the priority areas... Post September, we will start engaging,' he said on the sidelines of India-Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) conclave organised by Confederation of Indian Industry.

 

'If the countries are interested in FTAs, we will also look into possibilities,' he said, adding that Chile is also requesting for a similar agreement. The trade pact talks would be resumed after the Covid-19 pandemic. Few rounds of talks were held before the pandemic.

 

India-Peru bilateral trade was $3.11 billion in FY23.

 

Stating that imports from India constitute less than 2% of LAC's total imports, Barthwal said that there is significant scope for expansion of India-LAC bilateral trade and that efforts are on to double the bilateral trade to $100 billion in the coming years. -Our Bureau

After a two-year effort, the Goan mancurad mango has got its prized geographical indication (GI) tag, giving it a unique status. The king of fruits was on the GI registration list for 90 days, which came to an end on August 1 and received no objections, allowing the mango to achieve the status. The popular Goan dessert bebinca has also got the tag.

 

'This bodes well for Goa,' said Deepak Parab, nodal officer, patent facilitation centre at the state council for science and technology. Agapito Menezes, president of the all-Goa bakers confectioners association, said that the GI tag for bebinca will ensure quality controls over the dessert. 'We have already lost the authentic flavour in Goan bread due to commercialisation,' he said. 'Over time, there have been non-Goans baking bebinca without following the original recipe and monetising it by selling it in Goa. The GI was therefore necessary to retain the authenticity of the Goan bebinca.'

Parab said, 'Many people export bebinca, and with the GI tag, the all-Goa bakers confectioners association can demand a premium price for this unique Goan product'.

As for the mancurad, it has a spongy tissue making the texture of its flesh and taste different from other mango variants, owing to which it is touted as one of the best mangoes available.

‘Farmers will be able to quote higher price for mangoes, boost cultivation’

The all-Goa mancurad mango growers association can discuss with the state government what benefits they can derive by virtue of the GI tag,' he said.

It was retired senior scientist at the Goa-based ICARCCARI, A R Desai, who had ensured that all the important information pertaining to the application was well documented to be presented to the GI committee for consideration.

 

'I am elated that Desai’s efforts have borne fruit. This is a matter of great pride for ICAR-CCARI. Farmers will be able to quote a higher price for their produce and we presume that the area under its cultivation will also increa se,' said director, ICAR-CCARI, Parvin Kumar.

Secretary of the all-Goa mancurad mango growers’ association Nestor Rangel, who defended the GI application for mancurad mango before the GI committee earlier this year, said that the fate of the mango variant will drastically improve following its newfound status.

'Mancurads are being grown in Vengurla, Maharashtra, and Belagavi, Karnataka, by the neighbouring state’s farmers after sourcing grafts from Goa. With the Goan mancuard getting GI status, the local farmers’ rights to sell this variant will be protected. We have to now think of marketing this mango variety abroad,' he said.

In addition, the Agacaim brinjal and seven-ridge okra also received the prized GI status. The Goa cashew is expected to receive this status by October this year.

TOIhad reported in April that Goa is in the final stage in the process of obtaining a GI status for these items.

Efforts are also being made to acquire the status for the Goan sausage, mussarat mango, Kunbi saree and handicrafts such as coconut carving and shell items.

A delay in imports of tur dal from Mozambique amid reports of cartelisation by some exporters there has prompted Indian authorities to 'emphatically' clarify that there are no quantitative restrictions on tur imports from the African country.

 

The Indian high commission in Maputo has issued a press release to inform all exporters of tur/arhar dal in Mozambique that they can export it to India under 'free category' without any upper limit on quantities and without import duty till March 31, 2024.

 

The clarification this week comes even as a cartel of exporters in Mozambique is allegedly pressurising their government to introduce a quota system for tur exports to India so as to monopolise the trade and manipulate prices.

 

This has caused shipping delays and a rise in prices of imported pigeon peas. The price of imported whole tur of Mozambique origin in Mumbai stood at Rs.88,000 per quintal on Wednesday against Rs.87,000 on Tuesday.

 

'The Mozambique government wants its exports to go through Institute Cereal Mozambique (ICM), as per the MoU of India with Mozambique, and some cartel wants to earn through ICM,' a pulses importer said on condition of anonymity.

 

India had signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mozambique to import 200,000 tonnes of tur every year from Mozambique.

 

'A few suppliers from Mozambique are trying that the Mozambique government gives a quota of tur export to only a few exporters,' a second pulses importer from Mumbai said. 'There is a lot of ambiguity right now about what happens to the trade that has already been done.'

 

India was looking to replenish its tur dal stocks with supplies from Africa, particularly Mozambique, starting August amid a shortage in the domestic market, which is expected to aggravate due to lower sowing in the ongoing kharif season, and rising prices.

 

Retail prices of tur have increased by 2.5% in last one month and by 27.5% in last one year, according to data from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

 

The central government had earlier removed the import duty and the requirement of certificate of origin for imports of tur from Mozambique.