In a move aimed at realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Vocal for Local’ with a focus on ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, the Agriculture department under the aegis of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) today organised a one-day International Buyer Seller Meet (IBSM) in Shillong.
The objective of the IBSM is to provide an opportunity to the producers and processors of Meghalaya to showcase their products to global and domestic buyers to promote their exports as well as their wholesale and retail sales.
This event will also link the producers and processors of Meghalaya and buyers from other parts of the country as well as abroad, which in turn will broaden the base of the export pockets in the North East, including Meghalaya, and increase the employment opportunities thereby improving the livelihood of the people.
More than 50 participants from all the eight North Eastern States displayed a wide range of agricultural products. Over 30 buyers from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Singapore, Greece and Nepal participated in the event.
The products on display include fresh fruits, vegetables, processed food products, black rice and red rice, pulses, maize, biscuits, cookies and bakery products, honey, dairy products and processed meat.
APEDA Chairman Dr. M. Angamuthu, said, “We intend to promote agricultural products of Meghalaya. The state has a good number of G.I products as well as state-specific agricultural products such as ginger, turmeric, pineapple, etc. The objective of this BSM is to tap the abundant potential available in the northeastern state. The APEDA will facilitate over 100 exporters in registration and knowledge building by training them for export of quality products.”
The APEDA has also ensured traders of Meghalaya that a dedicated pack-house would be established in the state to give a fillip to the export of agricultural products of the state.
The IBSM was organized by APEDA in association with the National Design Centre.
Agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh virtually shared his views on the event.
Other dignitaries present at the BSM were Dr. Vijay Kumar, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, U. K. Vats, General Manager, APEDA and Vinita Sudhanshu, Deputy General Manager, Regional Head (NER), APEDA, and others.
