Poland wants to strengthen agri ties with India

MUMBAI, INDIA - Leading a delegation to Mumbai to promote Polish agricultural sector and food companies, Ms. Zofia Szalczyk, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Urban Development, urged Indian companies to bring agri products especially teas, basmati rice, mangoes and spices to Poland. Poland being a part of European Union (EU), she urged the Indian companies to raise their quality benchmark of achieving the EU standards as she is confident the opportunities are vast. The Deputy Minister spoke to the Indian exporters at World Trade Centre Mumbai on Monday September 14, 2015.

She emphasised that Poland and India have 60 years after the bilateral relationship and it is now time to translate our diplomatic relations into mutual trade. She emphasized investments in higher technology in agricultural sector pay yield in the long run.

Szalczyk cited Poland’s example, that till 11 years ago, they imported all their food products. They invested close to 40 million Euros in new technologies for farmers which yielded positive results raising their exports. Szalczyk said the state needs to subsidise agriculture and help the farmers economically which will help farmers stay at the farms.

“They need to be educated, especially about soil, weather changes, the irrigation methods which is useful for their farms.” She said Poland too has a lot to offer India, like dairy products, confectionery, sweets, chocolates, fruits and vegetables.

Ms. Szalczyk was accompanied by the Ambassador Tomasz Lukazsuk said the Annapurna exhibition was helping opening doors on Indian markets. The Ambassador appealed to all Indian companies to participate in the food exhibition in Poland to showcase their products for exporting to Poland.

The Polish government delegation also included Mr. Tadeusz Klos, Main Inspector of Plant Health and Seed Inspection who explained to the Indian exporters the EU standards and practices to have be adhered to.

In his opening remarks, Vijay Kalantri, the Vice Chairman of World Trade Centre Mumbai said he was confident the bi-lateral trade between India and Poland would increase from $2.5 billion to $5 billion in next two years. He assured the Polish delegation of helping Indian traders with their trade concerns. He assured to help Indian companies to export to.

The Executive Director Y. R. Warerkar felicitated the delegates.

Rupa Naik, Director (Projects) in her vote of thanks appreciated the Deputy Minister for her support for Global Economic Summit ‘Enabling Food for All,’ which she promised to attend. She thanked the delegates and the distinguished guests for leading a delegation to promote agriculture and other allied sectors.

PHOTO: Zofia Szalczyk, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Urban Development, Government of Poland presenting memento to Vijay Kalantri, Vice Chairman, WTC Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries. Looking on (L-R) Y. R. Warerkar, Executive Director, WTC Mumbai, H.E. Mr. Tomasz Łukaszuk, Ambassador, Embassy of Poland to India, Leszek Brenda, Consul General, Consulate General of Poland in Mumbai during an interactive meeting with high level ministerial delegation from Poland.

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