Saudi agriculture show to have largest ever Indian participation

RIYADH: A total of 48 Indian companies will attend the 33rd international agriculture, water and agro- industry trade show here in the Saudi Arabian capital, stated to be the largest ever Indian participation in the event.

The Saudi Agriculture 2014, to be held from September 7 to 10, has generated notable international interest in its features and benefits, facilitating business partnership deals under one roof covering major industry fields, Arab News said.

The show's visitors include high-ranking officials, major manufacturers, dealers, agents and distributors looking to explore partnerships and growth opportunities within the largest and fastest growing agricultural market in the GCC region, the report said.

"India Trade Promotion Organisation ( ITPO), a premier trade promotion agency of the government of India, and Agriculture and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA) are jointly working to facilitate participation of Indian companies in the Saudi agro-food fair," Surinder Bhagat, spokesperson at the Indian embassy in Riyadh, said.

"A total of 48 companies, largest ever Indian delegation, covering a wide range of food, processed food and food packaging industry will participate in the event and highlight India's export potential in these sectors," he told the paper.

Besides being a major trade partner India consider Saudi Arabia as an important economic partner for investments, joint ventures, transfer of technology projects and joint projects in third countries.

"The fair will provide an excellent opportunity to the Indian companies to showcase their products and the prospects of agriculture and processed food industry in India," Bhagat said, adding that India's participation aims to provide new impetus to the Indo-Saudi trade relations.

According to Indian embassy, Saudi Arabia is the fourth largest market for global exports of Indian agro-food products, the report said.

"India's agro-food exports to Saudi Arabia in 2013-2014 reached $2.05 billion, registering an increase of 43 per cent over 2012-2013," Bhagat said.

"Indo-Saudi bilateral trade has been witnessing a steady growth in the last few years and reached $48.75 billion during 2013-2014 from $21 billion in 2009-2010, showing a remarkable growth of 132 per cent over this period, he added.