New Delhi (NVI): In a bid to boost the export potential of India’s agricultural and processed food products to Bhutan, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) organised a virtual Buyer Seller Meet (BSM) with the neighbouring country.
According to an official statement, the virtual meet brought together key stakeholders from the respective governments and trade on a common platform for strengthening strategic cooperation between India and Bhutan in agri food sector.
During the meet, presentations were made by Food Corporation of Bhutan Ltd (FCBL), Ministry of Agriculture & Forests, Bhutan and Trade Associations from India, Vegetables & fruits Exporters Association (VAFA), All India Food Processors Association (AIFPA), All India Meat & Livestock Exporters Association (AIMLEA), The Rice Exporters Association (TREA) on exports of potential agricultural products to Bhutan.
The virtual BSM was joined by Ruchira Kamboj, Ambassador of India to Bhutan, M Angamuthu, Chairman APEDA, Ugyen Penjor, Director General, Department of Agriculture & Marketing Cooperatives, Ministry of Agriculture & Forests, AnnHaokip, First Secretaryn(Pol & Com) EoI, Thimpu, Sonam Yonten, Bhutan Agriculture & Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA), Naiten Wangchuk, CEO, FCBL and senior officials of APEDA and Embassy of India, Bhutan.
Since the export promotion programme was not possible to be organized physically due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, APEDA organized a virtual BSM to provide a platform to the exporters and importers of India and Bhutan, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.
It added that there is an increased shift of focus towards Middle East, SAARC, South East Asia and Western trade partners by India for creating new opportunities for alliance in agricultural and processed food sector, owing the pandemic.
The virtual BSM in association with Indian Embassy in Bhutan, is the 15th in the series of such events organized by APEDA with various countries, the ministry further said.
Earlier, such virtual meet was first organized with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) followed by Kuwait, Indonesia, Switzerland, Belgium, Iran, South Africa, Germany, USA, Canada, Australia, Thailand and Oman, it added.
-RJV/ARK
