Food & Beverage News: F&B Specials - FI-India, ideal platform for foreign exhibitors

The Fi India conference scheduled from October 3-4 will be focusing on novelty ingredients this year, the theme being-"Novel Foods for Modern Consumers." The conference is anticipated to attract Indian and foreign exhibitors and visitors in full force.

The successful FI-India 2006 and 2007 events have established an increasing interest in food ingredients in India, particularly among the foreign exhibitors. As the country presents a mammoth marketplace where the people always look for new flavours to enjoy, the event will bring together manufacturers, processing specialists, service providers and other experts of food ingredients from across the world. Bipin Sinha, project director, FI-India, says, "India is the second largest food producer in the world, but only 2% of the total food production is processed here. This event will help provide a platform for the foreign technology which will amplify the processed food sector in the country."

Major international exhibitors are from China, Singapore, US, Spain, UK, Belgium, Italy, Germany, France, Netherlands, Malaysia, Switzerland, Taiwan and South Africa.

The reason for the increasing interest of foreign exhibitors and visitors is that India is being seen as a global food factory, attracting MNCs from across the world. Foreign multinationals which have selected India as a business destination have witnessed the growth rate more than that of the GDP.

Rashmi Uppal, applications manager for food & beverage ingredients division, EAC Industrial Ingredients (India) Pvt. Ltd, who will be representing 3 foreign exhibitors, says, "New ingredients always generate huge interest and particularly food ingredient business is associated with other food industries in India. Foreigners will definitely get an opportunity to see the latest international trends and innovations in FI-India arena. In India, the growth opportunity for food ingredients is tremendous and newly launched ingredients from overseas markets will be strong drivers for new product innovation in the country."

Sinha adds, "Almost 90% of international exhibitors are once again participating in FI-India which helps us strengthen existing relationships and to create new ones. In addition, it will also provide an opportunity to learn current trends, competitors and business operations of the country."

The event will also exhibit products by companies that supply health, nutraceuticals, organic or functional ingredients and natural ingredients, packaging and analytical equipment. Angelika Sparber, sales manager for Asia, IPRONA, says "We perceive the event as a market place to exchange information of the Indian food sector. Our expectation is to get a reliable Indian importer for our products. We also expect to meet some R&D professionals to acquire information on the Indian food market for our future expansion."

Mallika Varma, general secretary, All India Bread Manufacturers Association (AIBMA), who will be speaking on "Bakery products for modern consumers' nutritional needs" in the conference says, "FI-India is a platform for international exhibitors to share their state-of-the-art technology to reduce malnutrition in the country and to mind exchange with Indian participant."