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Upgraded mobile app lends tech touch to 32nd essay
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Wednesday, 01 March, 2017, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
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Ingredients, including those used in the bakery sector, would be among the products showcased at the 32nd essay of Aahar, the international food and hospitality fair organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). It will take place at New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan between March 7 and 11, 2017.
The organisers state that the show has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, and is now the ultimate destination for global vendors and sourcing professionals.
D K Nangia, general manager, ITPO, said, “This year, we’re expecting a major increase in the number of visitors. It is expected that 60,000 visitors will attend the event this year. We have developed a mobile application, which has been further strengthened in 2017 with the addition of many new features.”
“For example, after the visitors register themselves on the app, the data will be available to us and a QR code or specific number will be generated. This will be used for immediate printing of visitor badges.The app can be translated into all major Indian and world languages as well,” he added.
Nangia said, “This year as well, the streaming of videos on Aahar’s YouTube channel will be webcast. There will be 360-degree videos.”
New halls have been made available to the traders. Nangia said, “Some of the old halls - 2,4, 5 and 6 - are not available, so we have built four hangars (halls number 23, 24, 25, and 27).Also we are starting the online booking of additional services that an exhibitor requires like electricity.”
Several countries will make their debut at Aahar 2017. These include Australia, Korea, Greece, Switzerland, and Sweden.
New entrepreneurs
ITPO has also made arrangements for the new entrepreneurs this year as well. Nangia said, “We have a similar scheme like last year. New entrepreneurs will be given stalls. About 100 stalls have been reserved for such people. Stalls are available for women entrepreneurs who wish to participate in the exhibition.”
Meanwhile, Indian hospitality sector is clocking a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14 per cent.
According to the World Tourism Organisation, 15.3 million foreign tourist arrivals are expected in India by 2025. This will create a huge demand for the hospitality sector. The foreign investors are tapping this opportunity in a big way.
According to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), the amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow in the industry during the last couple of years was more than $6 billion.
Tourism accounts for 6.8 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and is the third-largest foreign exchange earner. India is the most attractive destination for global hospitality industry players.
“The government of India has proposed to establish cross-cultural linkages and to revive historic maritime cultural and economic ties with 39 Indian Ocean countries,” said ITPO.
When quizzed about the benefits of exhibiting at Aahar, Nangia said, “The fair gives opportunities to the traders to exhibit products, technologies and services to national and international buyers and generate sales leads or order bookings.”
“Besides, it gives opportunity for networking with the industry and establishing business contacts,” he added.
It is expected that Aahar will attract a huge crowd and a variety of visitors, including executive chefs and housekeepers, hospitality procurement heads, start-ups and entrepreneurs, purchase professionals and consultants, overseas and Indian industry associations,organised retailers/mega chains, overseas buyers/trade delegations, importers and distributors, hospitality service providers, diplomatic and commercial representatives of foreign missions in India and policy makers, amongst others.
Food and beverage profiles
Fresh produce and dairy products, confectionery, chocolates, desserts, bakery products and ingredients, organic and health products, frozen, canned and processed foods, meat, poultry, seafood, cheese and fine specialty food, snacks, convenience food, food additives and preservatives, coffee, tea, syrups, juices, energy drinks, alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages, ingredients, packaging supplies, etc.
F & B equipment (Preparation/processing/packaging)
Bakery and confectionery equipment, food preparation equipment and supplies, food processing and packaging equipment, refrigeration/chillers/ freezers, stewarding, tableware and glassware products, bar equipment and supplies, storage units, kitchen support equipment, etc.
Hospitality and décor solutions
Housekeeping products and supplies, laundry and cleaning equipment, guest amenities, linen, furnishings, textiles, fabrics and apparel, corporate gifts, decor solutions, bathroom fittings and fixtures, lighting solutions, cooling solutions, fitness and spa equipment, security and safety solutions, in-room technology and entertainment, hospitality support IT solutions, furniture and interiors, carts, trolleys, mobility solutions, publications and magazines, etc.
Events
There will be several events running simultaneously. These are as follows:
- Culinary competitions organised by Indian Culinary Forum (ICF)
- Seminar on regional trade
- Development in juice and juice products in SAARC Countries: Opportunities and challenges
- Seminar on operationalisation of standards of food additives and other food regulations for food safety
- Seminar on buying domestic sourced products from an international perspective
- National workshop on export potential of value-added food products with focus on organic foods, and
- Seminar on Myths of the FSSAI – Compliance requirements and rights
In 2016, it was the largest show of its kind in South Asia spread over approximately 60,000sq m. It witnessed 51,404 registered business visitors with 518 foreign delegates and buyers from 60 countries.
This year, it is expected that 1,034 exhibitors, including foreign participants from several countries including the United States, Ireland, Italy, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Poland, Norway, Peru, Indonesia, New Zealand, China, Korea, Pakistan, Thailand, Japan, Kyrgyz Republic, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and Taiwan would participate.
The food industry in India, currently valued at $39.71 billion, is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11 per cent to $65.4 billion by 2018.
“And India provides immense opportunity to the traders,” said Nangia, adding that India's food and grocery market was the sixth largest in the world and the Indian food processing industry accounted for 32 per cent of the country's total food market and 14 per cent of the manufacturing gross domestic product (GDP).
Further, with 42 mega food parks being set up with investment worth Rs 98 billion, India ranks number one in the production of spices, pulses, milk, tea, cashewnuts, mangoes, bananas and grapes. The country ranks number two in the production of wheat, rice, fruits and vegetables, sugarcane and oilseeds.
The businesses can tap opportunities in supply chain management, contract farming, cold storage development, food processing, packaging, etc.
Also, Union Budget 2016-17 has proposed 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) through the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) route in the marketing of food products produced and manufactured in India, which lends a great helping hand to strengthen the food trade in India.
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