Stressing that Indo-Israel ties are based on mutual 'appreciation and meaningful collaboration', Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has said he will be visiting India in the first week of April to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

 

The visit also aims to expand the cooperation between the two countries in the areas of innovation and technology, security and cyber, and agriculture and climate change.

 

Stressing that Indo-Israel ties are based on mutual 'appreciation and meaningful collaboration', Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has said he will be visiting India in the first week of April to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

 

The visit also aims to expand the cooperation between the two countries in the areas of innovation and technology, security and cyber, and agriculture and climate change.

 

'Prime Minister Naftali Bennett will pay his first official visit to India on Saturday, 2 April 2022, at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi,' the Israeli PM's Foreign Media Adviser said in a statement.

 

The two leaders had first met on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow last October when PM Modi had invited PM Bennett to pay an official visit to India, the statement said.

 

'This visit will reaffirm the important connection between the countries and the leaders, and will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of relations between Israel and India,' it added.

 

Informed sources told PTI that it will be a four-day visit from April 2-April 5.

 

'The purpose of the visit is to advance and strengthen the strategic alliance between the countries, and to expand bilateral ties. In addition, the leaders will discuss the strengthening of cooperation in a variety of areas, including innovation, economy, research and development, agriculture and more', the media adviser said.

 

Bennett will be meeting his Indian counterpart, senior government officials and also the local Jewish community during his visit.

 

The full schedule of the visit and additional details will be issued separately, the statement said.

 

'I am delighted to pay my first official visit to India at the invitation of my friend, Prime Minister Modi, and together we will continue leading the way for our countries' relations,' Bennett was quoted as saying in the press statement.

 

'Modi restarted relations between India and Israel, and this is of historic importance. The relations between our two unique cultures the Indian culture and the Jewish culture are deep, and they rely on deep appreciation and meaningful collaborations,' he said.

 

'There are many things we can learn from the Indians, and this is what we strive to do. Together we will expand our cooperation to other areas, from innovation and technology, security and cyber, to agriculture and climate change,' the Israeli Prime Minister emphasised.

 

Though New Delhi recognized Israel in 1950, ties were long frosty between the two nations, owing largely to India’s large Muslim population and its leadership role in the Cold War-era Non-Aligned Movement.

 

Full diplomatic relations were established in 1992.

 

Under the leadership of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, ties blossomed between India and Israel, culminating in the late prime minister Ariel Sharon’s 2003 visit to the country, the first by an Israeli premier.

 

Defence, agriculture, and trade, among others, have been the key pillars of the relationship between the two countries.

 

Indian forces have participated in the multilateral airforce exercise ‘Blue Flag 2021’ held in October in Israel.

 

During a trip to Israel last year, where he extended the invitation to Bennett to visit, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar lauded the business relationship between his country and Israel, saying at a meeting with CEOs and government officials that India regards Israel 'in many ways as perhaps our most trusted and innovative partner.”

 

Both countries have restarted negotiations for the free trade agreement, which is expected to conclude by mid-2022. India is Israel's third-largest trading partner in Asia and the seventh-largest globally.

 

The visit comes amid a number of high-level visits to New Delhi as Covid crisis abates.

 

The Japanese Prime Minister Fumio is currently in Delhi, and a number of ministers from other countries, including Austria, Oman, Greece, the UK, and Mexico, will also land in Delhi.

 

India and China are discussing to facilitate the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The FSSAI has issued a guidance note on elimination of trans-fatty acids to make stakeholders aware about the types, sources, impact on health and regulations related to it.

 

The note also asked the food manufacturers to get their products tested for trans fats and if the product was trans fat free (not more than 0.2g per 100g of food), use trans fat free logo on the product label.

 

The guidance note also details out the plans for elimination of trans fats from diets and supply chain in terms of suggestions for oil manufacturers, chefs, halwais, bakeries, food manufacturers, and consumers.

 

The guidance note says that adoption of newer technologies can help in eliminating industrial trans fats from fats/oils and several manufacturers have already switched to newer technologies for the same.

 

The note mentions technologies like ‘inter-esterfication, selection of raw material and binding options, monitoring and modifying hydrogenation process & deodorisation process’, as measures the FBOs can adopt to limit or eliminate the trans fats from the supply chain.

 

A detailed purchase strategy was also suggested in the note for the professionals.

 

The note seeks professionals like chefs and bakeries etc. to purchase only packaged oil with declared nutrition value for trans fats and prefer such fats/oil which are trans fat free or less than 2% trans fat content.

 

The professionals were also urged to ‘ask for a certificate of analysis from the manufacturers’, if possible.

 

Considering the health hazards associated with the consumption of industrially produced trans fats, the FSSAI has made a plan to eliminate it from the diet in a phased manner by 2022.

 

FSSAI has also notified the regulations to limit the industrial trans fatty acids to not more than 2% by January 2022 and this regulation has been extended to all the food products having edible oil, fat as ingredients.

 

The food authority has also recently issued a revised method for determination of trans fatty acids in hydrogenated vegetable oil and all food laboratories were required to ensure analysis based on the prescribed method.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Australia Hon. Scott Morrison held the 2nd India-Australia Virtual Summit today during which they reviewed the multi-faceted relationship between the two countries and exchanged views on regional and global developments.

 

At the outset, Prime Minister Modi expressed his condolences on the destruction caused by severe flooding in New South Wales and Queensland, and the resultant loss of lives. 

 

Both the leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress made under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established during the 1st Virtual Summit in June 2020. Prime Minister Modi expressed his satisfaction at the enhanced scope of the relationship which now covers diverse areas such as trade and investments, defence and security, education and innovation, science and technology, critical minerals, water management, new and renewable energy technology, Covid-19 related research, etc. 

 

Prime Minister Modi thanked Hon. Scott Morrison for the special gesture in returning 29 ancient artefacts to India. These artefacts comprise sculptures, paintings and photographs, across centuries, some dating back to the 9th-10th century, from different parts of India. The artefacts include 12th century Chola bronzes, 11th-12th century Jain sculptures from Rajasthan, 12th-13th century sandstone Goddess Mahisasuramardini from Gujarat, 18th-19th century paintings and early gelatin silver photographs.  

 

Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Morrison for taking care of the Indian community, including the Indian students, in Australia during Covid-19 pandemic. 

 

Both the leaders also appreciated the increasing strategic convergence between the two countries as fellow democracies with shared values and common interests, which include a free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. 

 

A Joint Statement was issued on the occasion covering various aspects of the deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both sides also agreed to establish annual summits between the Prime Ministers under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, thus adding a special dimension to the bilateral relationship.

As on date, there are 417 registered Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products, of which around 150 GI tagged products are agricultural and food products, the Centre said.

 

'Of the 150, more than 100 registered GI products fall under the category of APEDA scheduled products (cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables, processed products etc.), ' a government release said on Thursday.

 

In a bid to promote exports of locally sourced GI tagged agricultural products, the Centre claimed it has been striving to identify new products and new export destinations.

 

Darjeeling tea and Basmati rice are the two popular GI-tagged agricultural products of India. There is a host of GI-tagged products in various corners of the country, which have niche but loyal customers and need to be marketed properly to reach more potential buyers.

 

The Centre, through the Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA), has been facilitating trial shipments into new markets worldwide for products such as Kala Namak rice, Naga Mircha, Assam Kaji Nemu, Bangalore Rose Onion, Nagpur Oranges, GI varieties of Mangoes, GI-tagged Shahi Litchi, Bhalia wheat, Madurai Malli, Bardhaman Mihidana and Sitabhog, Dahanu Gholvad Sapota, Jalgaon Banana, Vazhakulam Pineapple, Marayoor Jaggery, etc.

 

Notable shipments of GI products in 2021 included export of Naga Mircha from Nagaland to the UK, Black Rice from Manipur and Assam to the UK, Assam Lemon to the UK and Italy, three GI varieties of Mango (Fazli, Khirsapati, and Laxmanbhog) from West Bengal and one GI variety of Mango (Zardalu) from Bihar to Bahrain and Qatar.

 

Around 30 kg of a sample shipment of Joynagar Moa, a sweetmeat delicacy from West Bengal, was sent via Kolkata airport to Bahrain. Subsequent to the sample shipment, further orders for Joynagar Moa were received from Bahrain.

 

In a major thrust to exports of GI-tagged products from Bihar, the first shipment of 524 kg GI tagged Shahi Litchi was exported from Muzaffarpur district of Bihar to London in May 2021. The year also witnessed the export of GI tagged Banaganapalle Mango from Andhra Pradesh to South Korea.

 

In June 2021, the season's first shipment of 1,048 kg GI tagged Malihabadi Dusseheri Mango was exported from Lucknow to the UK and the UAE.

 

GI products from other regions included Sangli raisins, Nagpur Orange, Dahanu Gholvad Chikoo, Marathwada Kesar Mango, Jalgaon Banana from Maharashtra, Kandhamal Turmeric from Odisha, Bangalore Rose Onion from Karnataka, Allahabad Surkha Guava, Kalanamak Rice from Uttar Pradesh, Madurai Malli from Tamil Nadu etc.

 

In 2020, virtual buyer-seller meets (VBSMs) were organised with the UAE and the US, two of the largest export markets for APEDA scheduled products.

 

From April 2020 to March 2021, VBSMs were held with potential importing countries such as the UAE, Indonesia, Kuwait, Iran, Thailand, Bhutan, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan etc., for the promotion of APEDA scheduled products. Special focus was given on export of GI tagged products.

 

APEDA also organised in-store promotional programmes in importing countries in association with foreign retailers such as Al-Zajira Group of Bahrain and Family Food Center of Qatar. Dispatch of samples of GI tagged Nanjangud Banana from Karnataka to LuLu Group, UAE, was also facilitated to enhance exports.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal said that India’s merchandise exports have reached almost USD 390 billion as of March 14th and will certainly cross USD 400 billion in the current fiscal.   

 

He was addressing the Atmanirbhar Excellence Awards and 7th Technology Summit 2022, organized by the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) in New Delhi. He added that India’s auto components industry had, for the first time, recorded a trade surplus of USD 600 million.

 

It may be noted that India’s Automotive Industry is worth more that USD 100 billion and contributes 8% of country’s total export and accounts for 2.3% of India's GDP and is set to become the 3rd largest in the world by 2025.

 

The Minister appreciated the resilient auto industry players who adapted and evolved to keep the industry going despite the five Cs, - challenges of COVID-19, container shortages, chip shortages, commodity prices and conflict. 

 

Shri Goyal said the government was sensitive to auto sector’s concerns related to chips shortage. The recently approved Semicon India Programme with a budget of 76,000 Crores would help reduce import dependence and eventually help us become Atmanirbhar in the arena of chips, he said. He added that the nimble Government and agile Industry working together collectively could capture markets across the world. 

 

Highlighting India’s capabilities in the field of auto components manufacturing, the Minister asked automakers to make greater use of Indian made components. Stating that the Government held back stringent norms regarding import substitution due to Covid-19 and industry assurances on securing equal market access, the Minister urged automakers to buy local and substitute imports. 

 

Congratulating the automotive for managing tech transitions smoothly, he pointed out that India could no longer afford to be closed and protective but will have to open up our markets along with striving to achieve greater penetration of global markets.

 

Spelling out the opportunities for the future of mobility, Shri Goyal said that mobility of tomorrow would be dependent on the 7 Cs, - Common, Connected, Convenient, Congestion-free, Charged, Clean and Cutting edge.

 

Shri Goyal gave a 4-point call for action to the auto components industry for to be future ready. He asked them to invest more in R&D, especially e-mobility, especially and battery tech. He urged them to disrupt existing targets, set higher benchmarks for performance and aspire to take 5 Indian companies in top 50 global automotive suppliers club. He encouraged them to identify core competencies and isolate key areas to reduce import reliance. He also called for designing world-class quality standards in the automotive sector. 

 

Quoting the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Goyal said that mobility is the next frontier in our fight against climate change. He asserted India was poised at the cusp of an e-mobility revolution that in the next 15 years and mobility landscape is expected to undergo a deep structural change. He asked auto-makers to look upon sustainability as an opportunity and not a challenge. 

 

He asked the automotive industry to work on improving the e-mobility ecosystem, including fuel cell vehicles with Hydrogen storage, higher Lithium-Ion battery capacity at low price and better charging infrastructure. He cautioned automakers that the cost of not investing in innovation and evolving to meet the needs of the future would be obsolescence. 

 

Referring to the budgetary push to the EV industry, the Minister said that India has the potential to become a hub for EVs and Integrated Circuits (IC) technology. Expressing concern that lower volume of production would prohibit scale of production thus affecting business viability, he called for the promotion of scale of production in e-mobility. 

 

Stating that the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has set the targets for Amrit Kaal, - the next 25 years, Shri Goyal said we cannot afford to rest on the laurels of the last 75 years as we celebrate the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ this year.

 

He added that the greater challenge before us, the greater responsibility that each one of us has on our shoulders is that in the next 25 years, the ‘Amrit Kaal’, as the Prime Minister has called it, is to make India a prosperous nation, a developed nation, a nation where every single citizen, especially the marginalized, is a stakeholder in the country’s progress and development.

 

Shri Piyush Goyal also presented Dr. Pawan K Goenka, Chairman, Steering Committee for Advancing Local Value-Add & Exports (SCALE), Chairman Designate -In Space, Dept of Space, Government of India and Former MD & CEO, Mahindra & Mahindra with the ACMA lifetime achievement Award and applauded his tremendous contribution to the Indian automotive industry. He also appreciated ACMA and congratulated all the winners of the Atmanirbhar Awards 

In a bid to promote exports of locally sourced Geographical Indications (GI) tagged agricultural products, Centre has been striving to identify new products and new export destinations. 

 

While Darjeeling Tea and Basmati Rice are the two popular GI-tagged agricultural products of India, which have ready markets across the globe, there is a host of GI-tagged products in various corners of the country which have niche but loyal customers and need to be marketed properly to reach more potential buyers. 

 

In line with Hon’ble Prime Minister’s call for ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, the Centre, through Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA) has been facilitating trial shipments into new markets world wide for products such as Kala Namak rice, Naga Mircha, Assam Kaji Nemu, Bangalore Rose Onion, Nagpur Oranges, GI varieties of Mangoes, GI-tagged Shahi Litchi, Bhalia wheat, Madurai Malli, BardhamanMihidana and Sitabhog, Dahanu Gholvad Sapota, Jalgaon Banana, Vazhakulam Pineapple, Marayoor Jaggery, etc. 

 

Notable shipments of GI products in 2021 included export of Naga Mircha (King Chilli) from Nagaland to UK, Black Rice from Manipur and Assam to the United Kingdom, Assam Lemon to the United Kingdom and Italy, three GI varieties of Mango (Fazli, Khirsapati, and Laxmanbhog) from West Bengal and one GI variety of Mango (Zardalu) from Bihar to Bahrain and Qatar. Around 30 kgs of a sample shipment of Joynagar Moa, a sweetmeat delicacy from South 24 Pargana district of West Bengal was sent via Kolkata airport to Bahrain.

 

 Subsequent to the sample shipment, further orders for Joynagar Moa were received from Bahrain. 

 

In a major thrust to exports of GI-tagged products from Bihar, the first shipment of 524 Kg GI tagged Shahi Litchi was exported from Muzaffarpur district of Bihar to London in May 2021. The year also witnessed the export of GI tagged Banaganapalle Mango from Andhra Pradesh to South Korea.

 

The Government has placed great emphasis on connecting farmer producer organisations (FPOs), food producer companies (FPCs) and exporters with international business communities to create an export hub in Varanasi, especially for GI-tagged agricultural products. 

 

To ensure GI tagged product promotion, a prime location has been identified at the departure area of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi. In June 2021, the season’s first shipment of 1048 kg GI Tagged Malihabadi Dusseheri Mango was exported from Lucknow to the United Kingdom and UAE.

 

To promote the unique GI Products from the North Eastern Region such as Manipur Black Rice (Chak-Hao), Manipur Kachai Lemon, Mizo Chilli, Arunachal Orange, Meghalaya Khasi Mandarin, Assam Kaji Nemu, Karbi Anglong Ginger, Joha Rice, and Tripura Queen Pineapple, Centre through APEDA has been organising buyer-seller meets, conducting awareness and capacity building workshops with the participation of representatives of the NER States, FPOs/FPCs, Exporters, Associations, and Government Departments such as Indian Railways, AAICLAS, NAFED, DGFT, IIFPT etc.

 

GI products from other regions included Sangli raisins, Nagpur Orange, Dahanu Gholvad Chikoo, Marathwada Kesar Mango, Jalgaon Banana from Maharashtra, Kandhamal Turmeric from Odisha and Bangalore Rose Onion from Karnataka, Allahabad Surkha Guava, Kalanamak Rice from Uttar Pradesh, Madurai Malli from Tamil Nadu etc.

 

In 2020, virtual buyer-seller meets were organized with UAE and USA, two of the largest export markets for APEDA scheduled products, in association with the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Embassy of India in Washington DC. 

 

The meet on GI products provided a platform for interaction between Indian exporters and importers of USA and UAE. The exporters were informed about the potential GI products for exports such as Basmati Rice, Mango, Pomegranates, Bangalore Rose Onions, SangliGrapes/Raisin, Banana and products of North-Eastern Region such as Joha Rice of Assam, Black Rice (Chak-Hao), Naga Mircha, and their derived processed products. During April 2020 to March 2021, VBSMs were held with potential importing countries such as UAE, Indonesia, Kuwait Iran, Thailand, Bhutan, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, etc., for the promotion of APEDA scheduled products. Special focus was given on export of GI-tagged products. 

 

APEDA also organized in-store promotional programmes in importing countries in association with foreign retailers such as Al-Zajira Group of Bahrain and Family Food Center of Doha, Qatar. Dispatch of samples of GI-tagged Nanjangud Banana from Karnataka to LuLu Group, UAE was also facilitated to enhance exports.

 

As on date, there are 417 registered GI products and of them, around 150 GI tagged products are agricultural and food products, out of which more than 100 registered GI products fall under the category of APEDA scheduled products (Cereals, Fresh Fruits and vegetables, processed products, etc).

Ministry of Food Processing Industries is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), for augmenting processing/preservation capacity, creating off-farm employment, leveraging domestic investment and increasing value addition to the economy.  

 

Recently, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI), Scheme has been launched for creating global food champions through incentivising investment in the food processing sector and creating employment.

 

The Pradhan Mantri-Formalisation of Micro Enterprises (PM-FME), scheme is also being implemented since 2020-21 which aims at upgrading/ formalising 2 lakh micro informal units and creation of 9 lakh employment. The government has permitted 100% foreign direct investment (FDI), under the automatic route.

 

The total FDI received in the food processing sector since April 2014 till December 2021 is $5.15 billion. Also through 582 completed projects under various component schemes of PMKSY, Rs 8562.92 crore of investment has been leveraged as on January 31, 2022.

 

Food processing sector is a labour intensive sector. As per the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), 2018-19, food processing was ranked 1st in total persons engaged in manufacturing sector.

Canada and India should draft a common framework on agriculture-related issues for smooth business in agri items, said Victor T. Thomas, president of the Canada India Business Council. In an exclusive interview, Mr Thomas highlighted that Canada was looking forward to firm up an Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA) before the final conclusion of the Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement.

 

'On the agricultural side, our standards are very high. We are the sixth-largest exporter of agricultural products. The trouble has been that there were inconsistencies on both sides. The agreed upon framework to trade in agriculture was missing for both sides. Agriculture is one of our strongest pieces and a lot can be done in this sector. Canada’s role can be crucial in ensuring food security in India, ' said Mr. Thomas providing his take on resolving the difficulties in the negotiation of the agriculture sector.

 

India and Canada restarted negotiations over the Free Trade Agreement earlier this week when Ottawa’s Trade Minister Mary Ng was hosted by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Speaking at the event, Mr. Goyal had highlighted issues regarding agriculture that are expected to be addressed during the negotiation over the coming months. Mr. Thomas said Canada was interested in a range of items such as jewellery, textiles and spices from India that are expected to be part of the trade deal.

 

Canada and India began negotiation on the FTA a decade ago but the talks were stalled in the backdrop of political shifts on both sides. Mr. Thomas said that Canada sensed that possibilities for the trade deal had opened up as India had fast-pedalled similar deals with countries like Australia, the UAE, and the United Kingdom, adding,  'There were times that were less than ideal. Things are back on track. Both countries want to make it work. '

 

Negotiations for the trade deal that were started by the two Ministers are likely to include phytosanitary measures, goods and services, rules of origin and other such issues that were also part of the recent trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates.

 

Mr. Thomas highlighted commonalities between Indian and Canadian democratic traditions and said that Canada should do more trade with India in comparison with other big economies that do not follow democratic principles.  'We know how important democracy is and there is a need to tie in our democratic partners. We have common laws and complementary economies, ' said Mr. Thomas, who also highlighted the key role that uranium from Canada could play in giving shape to India’s aspirations for a pollution-free energy sector.

 

'When you look at the goals set by the Indian government in terms of carbon reduction, uranium can play a major role over the next 20-25 years,' said Mr Thomas.

The major APEDA products exported from Kerala to UAE are Cashew Kernels, Other Fresh Fruits, Other Fresh Vegetables, Non - Basmati Rice, Milled Products, Dairy Products, Miscellaneous Preparations, Processed Vegetables, Cereal Preparations, Processed Fruits, Juices & Nuts alcoholic beverages, jaggery & confectionery, floriculture, cocoa products, pulses, etc.

 

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) organized a Virtual buyer-seller meet with UAE on 16th March 2022 to further strengthen the trade relations with UAE post-historic Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to boost the merchandise trade between the countries to $100 billion over the next five years.

 

India and UAE have been strategic partners right from the diplomatic ties since 1972. The promotion of innovative & indigenous agricultural products of Kerala was the prime aim of the virtual buyer-seller meet with UAE.

 

This interactive meeting between exporters & importers is in fact a unique opportunity to capture the emerging trends in UAE market realizing the export potential of Kerala.

 

TV Subhash IAS, Director of Agriculture, Govt of Kerala, Sandeep Kumar Bayyapu IFS, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi & Dr. Tarun Bajaj, Director, APEDA gave the special addresses in the event.

 

E-catalogue of the VBSM with UAE is jointly released by Dr. Tarun Bajaj, Director, APEDA & Sandeep Kumar Bayyapu IFS, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi. Simi Unnikrishnan, AGM, APEDA Regional In charge gave a brief on the topic ‘Exploring export of potential products of Kerala’. An interactive session of Exporters of Kerala & Importers of UAE has been organized during the programme.

 

APEDA’s products worth 129.55 US $Mill Value (Qty: 88,881.21MTs) have been exported from Kerala to UAE in 2020-21. The country has a share of 24.97% (2019-20), 27.90% (2020-21) and 31.75% (2021-22 Apr-Dec) in exports from Kerala.

 

The major APEDA products exported from Kerala to UAE are Cashew Kernels, Other Fresh Fruits, Other Fresh Vegetables, Non - Basmati Rice, Milled Products, Dairy Products, Miscellaneous Preparations, Processed Vegetables, Cereal Preparations, Processed Fruits, Juices & Nuts alcoholic beverages, jaggery & confectionery, floriculture, cocoa products, pulses etc.

 

There is a shifting paradigm in the export of Agri products to UAE, the potential products exported to UAE have been changing trends paving the way to new additional products in the last few decades. The export of bananas from Kerala has increased by 47% to UAE as compared to the previous year, still, there is enormous potential to tap. There is also an increase in the export of shallots, pineapple, mangoes sliced/dried to the country.

 

In this scenario, Kerala, a coastal state located on a transnational trade corridor is a homeland for several innovative agricultural products. There is rich potential in Kerala for organic exports. Some of the farming systems such as Pokkali and Kaipad cultivation and homestead farming systems all over the state are default organic. However, they need to be promoted in international markets when pandemic has paved way for demand for these nutritional organically produced farm products.

 

There are 6 GI-tagged varieties of rice grown in Kerala. Few of them like Navara, Kaipad rice, Pokkali rice have medicinal benefits too. Jack fruit, which is the state fruit of Kerala, is a healthy & nutritious tropical fruit used as both vegetable & dessert.

 

Every part of the fruit and tree has health and economic value. Garcinia cambogia, a tropical fruit also known as the Malabar tamarind was also promoted in VBSM with other products. Likewise, there are enormous products in Kerala like Vazhakulam Pineapple, Marayoor Jaggery, Bananas, Mangoes, Tapioca, bird’s eye chilli & value-added products like Banana chips, Carrot chips, Jackfruit chapathi flour, Millet Barfi, Ragi puttu powder, Arrow root powder, Tapioca noodles, Ragi pasta etc.

 

In spite of having a wide range of nutritional products, the export potential of Kerala is not tapped to the desired extent. This VBSM with UAE was a trade corridor to showcase the enormous export potential of Kerala.

Ministry of Food Processing Industries, has been implementing Central Sector Umbrella Scheme Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), since 2016-17 for overall growth and development of food processing sector including setting up of Food Processing Industries.

 

Under the component schemes of PMKSY, special concessions are provided for setting up of such industries and Mega Food Parks in North Eastern States (including Sikkim), and difficult areas like Himalayan States/UTs, State notified Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), areas and islands.

 

These concessions include lower eligibility threshold during evaluation and higher rate of grants for selected projects.