Date:11/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/09/11/stories/2004091104800500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

YSR woos food processing units

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 10. Four International Technology Fairs organised by CIDEX Trade Fairs, a joint venture of Messe Dusseldorf and Kolnmesse International, were inaugurated by the Chief Minister,Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, at the HITEX Fairgrounds here on Friday.

The four-day event has exhibitions on four themes -- Sweet and Snack Factory India, Dairy Universe India, Packaging Technology, and the International FoodTec India 2004, and is open to business visitors only. While 90 per cent of the 103 participants are from India, the rest are from 10 different countries, according to Dr. Matthias A.Winter, Managing Director of CIDEX.

The Chief Minister, accompanied by officials of CIDEX Trade Fairs, HITEX, and others went around the exhibition on the sprawling NAC grounds, and had a look at the plan of the project which was on display.

Welcomes suggestions

Later speaking to reporters he said the Government was providing incentives and excellent infrastructure like land and roads to the food processing industry, besides supplying power at Rs.1.7 per unit. When asked if the Government had anything more to offer to the food processing industry, as it was agri-related and benefited farmers, Dr.Reddy welcomed suggestions from the industry in this respect.

UK, France keen

At a press conference later, the British Deputy High Commissioner in South India, Mr. Stuart Innes, said their focus was on trade and investment both ways. Mr. Ken Hunt of UK Trade and Investment said they saw India as a rapidly developing market and felt it offered a `win-win situation' to both the countries.

Ms. Fleury, the Commercial Attache of the French Embassy, said three firms from France were participating. They were working to develop food parks in India, and signed a contract for supply of special equipment in fisheries in West Bengal. Lagarde, which makes packaging equipment was installing sterilisation equipment for a proposed chicken processing unit in Northern India, she said.

More fairs planned

Dr.Winters said CIDEX organised 7 trade fairs last year, and will be holding 10 this year. The company achieved `breakeven' point last year, and is hopeful of making profits this year, he said in reply to a question. Among the fairs to be held are, "World of Food", and two on Tube industry, and Foundry, he said.