India, UAE Strengthen Food Trade Partnership
India’s growing importance in the global food industry and its stronger partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were clearly highlighted at the Gulfood World Economy Summit. Senior government officials, business leaders, and industry experts gathered at the event to discuss how both countries can work more closely in the food and beverage sector.
During an India-focused session, Avinash Joshi, Secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, delivered the keynote address. He spoke about how India is becoming a major player in the global food market. He explained that India is not just exporting raw agricultural products anymore, but is also focusing on value-added food processing. This means turning raw food into packaged, ready-to-use, and higher-quality products that can be sold worldwide.
Joshi also highlighted India’s efforts to build stronger and more reliable supply chains. He said these steps help ensure that food products are delivered safely, quickly, and efficiently to other countries. He added that India is using new technology and innovation to improve food processing and meet international standards.
He pointed out that demand for Indian food products is rising in the Middle East, especially in the UAE. Because of this growing demand, there are many new opportunities for Indian companies to expand their business in the region. He said that closer cooperation between India and the UAE can benefit both nations through trade, investment, and job creation.
The summit also featured a fireside chat titled “India-UAE: Building the world’s most trusted food supply bridge.” The discussion brought together key leaders including Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India in Dubai, APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev, Saleh Lootah, chairman of the food and beverage sector, and other senior industry representatives.
The speakers discussed ways to make the food trade between the two countries more reliable and efficient. They talked about improving food safety, boosting exports, encouraging investments, and building trust between businesses. They agreed that India and the UAE can work together to create a strong food supply network that serves not just their own markets, but also other parts of the world.
Overall, the summit showed that India and the UAE are committed to strengthening their partnership and becoming key players in the global food economy.