KUWAIT: Embassy of India, Kuwait hosted a series of trade promotion events from Sept 8 to 10 reflecting the increasing cooperation in the field of food security between India and Kuwait. A buyer-seller meet (BSM) in the food and beverages (F&B) sector, in collaboration with the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI), was held on Sept 8 at the Grand Majestic Hotel in Kuwait. The event saw the participation of a delegation of 10 prominent Indian F&B companies, each showcasing a diverse range of products, according to a press release issued by the Indian Embassy.

In another collaborative effort, the embassy, working with the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) and the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), organized a buyer-seller meet focusing on food and agricultural products on Sept 9-10 at the KCCI exhibition hall. The event saw delegation of 30 leading Indian companies showcasing an extensive array of food and agricultural products.

Indian Ambassador Dr Adarsh Swaika inaugurated both events at the Hotel Grand Majestic and the KCCI Exhibition Hall. The inaugural event was attended by Assistant Director General of KCCI Emad Al-Zaid, Director General of Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN) Dr Reem Al-Fulaij, representatives from Public Authority of Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) and commercial banks.

The buyer-seller meet on food and agricultural products.

The visiting delegations engaged in productive B2B meetings with leading Kuwaiti importers, hypermarkets and manufacturing industries from the F&B sector based in Kuwait. Indian Business Professionals Council (IBPC) in collaboration with the embassy also organized a business networking session on Sept 9 at Hotel Crowne Plaza, Kuwait.

India is a global leader in the production of spices, milk, and pulses, and the second largest producer of Tea, Sugarcane, wheat, fruits and vegetables. India’s top exports globally include rice, sugar, fresh vegetables, marine products & seafoods, fresh fruits, spices, buffalo meat and more.

India’s total exports to Kuwait crossed $2.0 billion in FY 2023-24, while food & agriculture exports amounted to approximately $350 million with top food exports being basmati rice, coffee (unroasted), frozen shrimps & prawns, sugar, boneless meat, cashew nuts, onions, etc. India’s food processing industry is also one of the largest in the world, estimated to reach $1,274 billion in 2027 from $866 billion in 2022.

The industry is primarily export oriented with commodities such as processed fruits and vegetables, ready-to-eat (RTE) and ready-to-cook (RTC), mozzarella cheese, processed marine products, edible oils, beverages, and dairy products. There are more than 20 operational mega food parks, 371 cold chain projects, and 68 agro-processing clusters. India’s FDI in this sector in 2023-24 is estimated to be $608 million, the release added.