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China is the biggest exhibitor at Fi India 2010
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Monday, 18 October, 2010, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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 Like every year, Food Ingredients India show will see participation from 15-20 countries. This year, China is the leading foreign participating nation with about 35 exhibitors. In an exclusive interview, Bipin Sinha, project director, UBM India, talks about the latest developments and growing international footfalls. Excerpts:
This year, Fi India would be entering the fifth edition. How has been the journey so far?
Fi India is the only event on the sub-continent which brings together the entire food ingredients industry.
Fi India attracted 600 visitors when it started for the first time in India and currently has around 5,000 food professionals visiting Fi India 2010. The participation has increased in huge numbers not only from domestic players but also from international markets.
Fi India is one of the youngest Fi series events. What is the special you have for the event?
The Fi series has been held worldwide for the past 10-12 years at 10 different destinations. It’s being held in India since 2006.
Fi India has always been successful in launching newer innovations and showcasing technologies for the food industry. This year Fi India has the biggest participation from China. China will provide unique opportunities in sourcing cheap raw materials for food ingredients of all varieties that are used around the globe.
Everyday, more and more Indian companies have begun sourcing raw materials from China which has gained massive momentum. There will be about 35 Chinese companies to help the participants with various sourcing options.
How was the experience last time? Any particular improvements implemented based on last event's experience?
In 2008, Fi India had 85 exhibitors compared to 70 in 2007 and had a total of 3755 visitors in 2 days of the show. Due to recession we had only 74 exhibitors in 2009.
Fi India has proved to be successful on its way in terms of visitors and participants. This success was due to the high quality of visitors attending the exhibition and exhibitors finding them.
Do you think the post-recession period will help Fi India to grow faster? How many countries have registered for the current event?
Post-recession the market has been positive. We have received an overwhelming response from the players in the industry.
This year, the event has participation from international players like the US, Turkey, Spain, UAE, Australia, Korea, Belgium, China, France, Singapore and Malaysia. We also registered an increase in the number of exhibitors from the domestic market as well. There would be more than 105 exhibitors as compared to last year’s 74.
What is the growth rate of the event? What is the role of UBM in organising the event?
A healthy 20% year on year. UBM has played a vital role in the research of each segment like bakery, oils & fats, confectionery, snack food, and energy drinks.
We have done a personal contact campaign in these segments and sensitised the stakeholders about Fi India.
Do you have a conference running parallel to the show this year?
Yes, we have introduced a Fi India conference series for 2010. The conference presents seven highly focused and content driven modules covering the most critical issues within the Indian f&b industry. Each module will feature in-depth analysis and case studies by speakers from big players such as Unilever, Marco, Amul and Godrej Hershey’s.
Do you think India is capable to produce cost-effective health ingredients & nutraceuticals for those at the bottom of the pyramid?
Yes! Honest and sincere efforts are being taken by companies, governmental organisations under various public-private-partnership models to develop cost-effective nutraceuticals for those at the bottom of the pyramid. It will take some quality time in doing so.
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