Estonia Seeks Trade & Innovation Ties with India

An interactive meeting organized by WTC Mumbai in association with the Estonian Embassy focused on deepening India-Estonia ties in sectors such as agriculture, IT, the digital economy, and education.

Mr. Tonis Tanav, Deputy Secretary General for Innovation and Strategy, Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, emphasized Estonia’s ambition to be a key partner for India, highlighting untapped potential in agri-business, where Estonia's exports to India remain low despite global exports reaching USD 100 million in 2023. He underscored the opportunity for collaboration in areas like technology sharing, joint ventures, and partnerships.

Ms. Eva-Kristiina Ponomarjov, Global Trade Director, Estonian Trade Development Agency (EIS), outlined Estonia's strengths in organic farming, plant-based meat alternatives, and sustainable food processing technologies, which are well-suited for the Indian market. With over 20% of Estonian farmland under organic cultivation, Estonia’s innovative approach to food production offers significant opportunities for collaboration with India, particularly in sustainable agriculture.

Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, WTC Mumbai, stressed the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties and exploring a Free Trade Agreement between India and the Baltic region. He also advocated for greater collaboration in cybersecurity, IT, and education, noting that Estonia, as one of the most digitally advanced countries, is well-positioned to contribute to these sectors.

Ms. Rupa Naik, Executive Director, WTC Mumbai, delivered the vote of thanks, highlighting Estonia’s leadership in sustainable agriculture and food innovation. She remarked, " Estonia has the potential to play a pivotal role in supporting India’s efforts toward food and nutrition security while upholding environmental sustainability

The event featured presentations from 10 Estonian food and beverage companies interested in partnering with Indian distributors and exploring local manufacturing opportunities. These companies represented sectors such as plant-based meat, snacks, and nutritional foods. The discussions emphasized the potential for expanding trade in food innovation, sustainable agriculture, and biotechnology.

In Photo: (From left to right): Ms. Eva-Kristiina Ponomarjov, Global Trade Director, Estonian Trade Development Agency (EIS); Ms. Divya Gupta, CEO, Stalwart World; Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, WTC Mumbai; Mr. Tonis Tanav, Deputy Secretary General for Innovation and Strategy. Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture; Ms. Rupa Naik, WTC Mumbai; Ms. Aakruti Bagwe, Director - Operations, WTC Mumbai; Mr. Sunil Khanna, Honorary Consul of Estonia in Mumbai; and Capt. Ramesh Gulati, Member - Council of Management, WTC Mumbai.