Virtual buyer-seller meet up organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Digital Desk: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry arranged a Virtual Buyer Seller Meet (VBSM) through its export promotion organisation, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Development Authority (APEDA), in collaboration with the Embassy of India in Myanmar, in order to maximise the export potential of agricultural, horticultural, and processed food products to Myanmar. 

An official from the Indian embassy in Myanmar gave the keynote address at the VBSM on Wednesday. He stated that more stakeholder interaction will take place in the future and that more physical deliberations will be held in the coming days to examine export opportunities for agricultural and livestock food products from Myanmar.

APEDA officials highlighted the significance of working with Myanmar farmers and traders to explore value additional prospects for agricultural products exported from India to the neighbouring country. 

APEDA has undertaken several export promotion activities and initiatives, including the creation of virtual portals for organising Virtual Trade Fairs, the Farmer Connect Portal, an e-office, the Hortinet Traceability System, Buyer Seller Meets, Reverse Buyer Seller Meets, product-specific campaigns, and so on. APEDA has been collaborating closely with the State government to build infrastructure and promote exports from the state.

The Rice Exporters Association (TREA), All India Food Processors' Association, All India Buffalo & Sheep Meat Exporters Association, Fresh Vegetables & Fruits Exporters Association (India), Myanmar Food Processors' & Exporters Association (MFPEA), Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF), and other organisations were represented at the VBSM, which was organised to promote agricultural exports.

The Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) has invited Indian entrepreneurs to explore business prospects in the domain of natural fertiliser manufacture and biological products for soil enhancement because Myanmar is rich in various raw materials. 

The VBSM also contributes to APEDA's objective of promoting locally produced agricultural products in the North Eastern Region to foreign markets. The Northeast region is geopolitically significant since it has international borders with China, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, and Bangladesh, making it a potential hub for agricultural produce export to neighbouring countries as well as other overseas destinations.

India exports mustard seeds, pulses & beans, fresh vegetables, fruits, and soya beans to Myanmar. Agricultural product exports from India increased by 19.92% during 2021-22, reaching USD 50.21 billion. The growth rate is exceptional since it exceeds the 17.66% growth rate of USD 41.87 billion obtained in 2020-21, despite extraordinary logistical obstacles such as high freight prices and container shortages, among other things.

The increase in agricultural and processed food product exports is the result of the government's various initiatives for agricultural and processed food product export promotion, such as organising B2B exhibitions in different countries and exploring new potential markets through product-specific and general marketing campaigns with active participation of Indian embassies. 

The government has also taken many measures to promote items with registered geographical indications (GI) in India, including virtual Buyer Seller Meets on agricultural and food products with the UAE and GI products, including handicrafts, with the United States.

According to a press release, the government has recognised 220 labs across India to provide testing services to a wide range of products and exporters in order to provide smooth quality certification of products to be exported.