Maharashtra, Thailand Plan Agro, SME Sector Ties

Aug 03, 2018

World Trade Centre (WTC) Mumbai organised a ‘Roundtable Discussion on SMEs’ with a business delegation from Thailand at WTC Mumbai. Mr. Subhash Desai, Hon’ble Minister for Industries and Mining, Government of Maharashtra and chief guest at the event said, “Thailand and Maharashtra can work together to uplift SMEs to higher levels. SMEs in both countries can explore joint collaborations in food processing, dairy, textiles and information technology sectors. Maharashtra produces millions of tonnes of milk; but there is inadequate processing facility in the dairy sector. Maharashtra has diverse climatic conditions favourable for producing large variety of crops. Maharashtra’s farmers are growing high quality food crops supported by substantial R&D. We look for Thailand’s partnership in secondary treatment of food crops, which include preservation, processing, packaging and export”.

Dr. Wimonkarn Kosumas, Deputy Director General, Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion of Thailand outlined a four-point programme to strengthen bilateral ties between India and Thailand. Dr. Kosumas sought India’s strategic partnership in digitising SMEs in the country. The programme also includes setting up a dedicated Maharashtra desk in the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) in Thailand, holding Thailand-Maharashtra SME festival next year, linking artisans and craftsmen of Maharashtra with the designers in Thailand and promoting SME collaboration in food packaging technologies.

Dr. Kosumas further informed, OSMEP can set up a dedicated desk to promote SME collaboration in Maharashtra as is done in Italy and Japan.

Dr. Kosumas invited Maharashtra’s SMEs to participate in Propak Asia (June 12-15, 2019) and Food Pack Asia 2019.

Mr. Ekapol Poolpipat, Consul General, Royal Thai Consulate-General, Mumbai said, “My mission is to promote bilateral partnership in three areas: commerce, innovation and culture. In future, we must hold a series of such roundtable discussions for the benefit of our SMEs”.

Mr. Vijay Kalantri, Vice Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Centre Mumbai said, “Maharashtra is a leading producer of mangoes, Chicku, grapes, banana and other food crops. However, 40% of food crops perish before reaching market. Therefore, we need more food processing units and cold storages near farmgate. This is the right opportunity to develop partnership with Thailand in food processing sector as Indian government aims to double the income of farmers by 2022”.

Top Photo

From (L-R): Mr. Ekapol Poolpipat, Mr. Subhash Desai, Dr. Wimonkarn Kosumas and Mr. Vijay Kalantri.

Below photo

Mr. Subhash Desai being felicitated by Mr. Vijay Kalantri. Also seen Dr. Wimonkarn Kosumas.