Brazil to step-up Agri Business Partners in India

Nov 02, 2017

WTC Mumbai organized an interactive meeting with a high-level Brazilian business delegation representing Agro & Agro Processing Food Technology Industry in association with All India Association of Industries on November 1, 2017. Addressing the participants Mr. Marcelo Eduardo Lüders, President, IBRAFE (Brazilian Institute of Beans and Pulses) said “We should look at ways to improve Brazil-India strategic partnership and jointly explore real possibilities to increase the existing trade basket between our countries by holding periodic discussions. There still exists big possibilities of supplying more agro products to India. So let us work together in creating a conducive environment toward increasing bilateral trade between our countries.”

Ms. Rosimar Da Silva Suzano, Consul General of Brazil in Mumbai said, “The Brazilian Delegation is here to explore possibilities of increasing trade between our countries in food and agro products as a result of the talks held at the high-level meetings during the BRICS Summit in Goa. Agriculture and food security was high on the agenda. India has a growing urban population and there is a growing need for food. Brazil can help ensure India’s food security in a sustainable manner through the exchange of latest food processing and agriculture technology. Since Brazil and India are signatories to the strategic partnership, we must share our expertise, improve quality standards and technological know-how.” Ms. Suzano added that Brazil is strong in pulse production and India requires pulse imports, so both countries can work together in achieving their individual targets.

Earlier in his welcome address, Mr. Vijay Kalantri, President, All India Association of Industries said, “Brazil can help India in acquiring the latest agri-technology in order to increase its agro production. India can learn a lot from Brazil so that it could foster fruitful collaborations with the private sector in agriculture, which is currently only with the public sector. 40 per cent of the agriculture produce perishes even before it reaches the markets, Brazil can share its expertise in averting such post-harvest waste.

Mr. Kalantri added that India-Brazil bilateral trade stands at USD 6.5 billion and trade is in Brazil’s favour which can be improved through co-operation in sectors such as IT, crude oil, pharmaceuticals, automobiles and auto components. Brazil can take advantage of the opportunities of India’s ambitious programmes such as Make in India, Digital India, Startup India etc. The World Bank in its Ease of Doing Business Rankings 2018 announced yesterday has declared that India has jumped 30 notches which is a positive move for Brazil to take stock and foster collaborations in areas such as mining, energy and bio-fuels, Mr. Kalantri opined.

Captain Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, World Trade Centre Mumbai proposed the vote of thanks.

The event concluded with 100 pre-arranged business-to-business meetings between the high-level business delegation and trade and industry representatives.

In photo: from (L-R): Ms. Rupa Naik, Senior Director, WTC Mumbai, Captain Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, WTC Mumbai, Ms. Rosimar Da Silva Suzano, Consul General of Brazil in Mumbai, Mr. Vijay Kalantri, Vice Chairman , WTC Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries and Mr. Marcelo Eduardo LĂĽders, President, IBRAFE