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Preparing strategy to capture export opportunities: Harsimrat
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SME Times News Bureau | 08 May, 2020
Union Cabinet Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal wants India's food
processing industry to capture the massive export opportunity which will
occur on the back of Covid-19 triggered shift in global trade.
Accordingly,
the Minister of Food Processing has been busy strategising India's game
plan to enhance exports along with smoothening the way for increased
foreign capital and gearing-up the industry to deal with the bumper
harvest during the lockdown period.
In an exclusive interview to
IANS, the Minister said: "The Covid 19 crisis opens up huge
opportunities for Indian products to capture a major share of exports
given the anti-China sentiment permeating global relations in trade."
"In
the medium term, the sector is bound to witness an inflow of large
investments and my ministry will ensure necessary assistance for any
investment interests through its dedicated 'Investment Facilitation
Cell'."
At present, 100 per cent FDI under automatic route is permitted for the food processing sector in India.
Similarly,
100 per cent FDI is also allowed for trading, including through
e-commerce, in respect of food products manufactured and produced in
India, under government approval route.
According to the
Minister, regular discussions are being held with the industry to gather
their inputs on ways and means to increase exports.
"There shall
be a global shift in the existing pattern of import-export as many
countries look forward to reset and realign their food supply chains,"
the Minister said.
"This opens up new vistas for Indian exporters
to carve out a niche for themselves. Realising this, we have held
deliberations with APEDA, MPEDA and promoters of MoFPI supported
projects, to venture out and explore the new opportunities that have
opened up post Covid."
In terms of the response to Covid-19
outbreak, Badal pointed out that the Ministry's proactive approach
facilitated the timely redressal of issues that were faced by the
industry.
"Continuous efforts were made to link with state
governments, food processors, retailers, mandis, etc. to bring them on
one platform so as to reduce wastage of agricultural produce, provide
better price to farmers and maintain supply chain infrastructure," the
Minister said.
"The Ministry through its 'Task Force' manned by
the senior officers of the ministry, is continuously monitoring the food
production and supply chain logistics."
The ministry had formed a
dedicated task force to address issues faced by the food and allied
industry so that it can run at maximum capacity.
"I am also
working with various stakeholders towards policy interventions required
to make the industry ready for post Covid scenario."
Besides, the
Minister credited the cold-chain infrastructure in the country to have
saved harvested perishables from getting wasted.
"The cold chain
infrastructure supported by the ministry across the country, in
particular, has come as a saviour for storing the perishables during the
lockdown period," the Minister said.
"The dairy and poultry
industry, in particular, was suddenly faced with surpluses in view of
the steep drop in demand caused by the sudden closure of the restaurant
and hotel industry."
The first two phases of the national lockdown to curb the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak had imposed movement restrictions.
Consequently, the food industry had to operate at a capacity of 25-30 per cent only during the initial lockdown period.
"This
could have led to serious disruption in the supply chain. To address
these challenges, I held multiple video conferences with food processors
across states, leading industry associations, exporters and other
stakeholders," the Minister said.
On March 26, the ministry
formed a task force with Invest India to resolve the issues being faced
by the food processing and allied industry in the country due to
lockdown.
Till May 3, the team had received a total of 564 issues out of which 533 were resolved.
"The
task force also ensured business continuity by facilitating hundreds of
units in resuming their operations. The team continues to monitor and
address evolving challenges by working 24X7 to ensure that the industry
can operate in a hassle-free manner," the Minister said.
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