India’s millet exports to the UAE is likely to see a major boost following a landmark MoU inked by its government agency Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) recently with retail group Lulu Hypermarket at a key event in Dubai.

 

The MoU comes on the back of the CEPA agreement between the two countries, signed and improving by the day, to facilitate trade. 

 

India is promoting its range of wheat, rice, maize and many millet-related products as it observes 2023 as the International Year of Millets. The UAE is third-biggest importer of Indian products.

 

India has exported millets worth $46.05 million during April-November period last year. 

 

The new MoU will help Apeda reach the target of $100 million for export of millets and its value-added products by 2025, stated Apeda Director Dr Tarun Bajaj after signing the MoU with LuLu Group Chief Operating Officer Saleem on the sidelines of Gulfood 2023, one of the largest annual food exhibitions being held at the World Trade Centre.

 

The signing ceremony was attende by Ambassador of India Sunjay Sudhir, the Apeda Chairman Dr M Angamuthu, Indian consul-general in Dubai Dr Aman Puri and Lulu chairman Yusuff Ali.

 

This year, the international trade show is focussing on export promotion of millets with trading partners from GCC, Asia, Africa and Europe participating in the event. A buyer-seller meet was also organised in the India Pavilion.

 

Apeda, which comes under the Ministry of Commerce of Government of India, is participating in 16 International Trade Fairs for export promotion of millets. The millets will be sourced from FPOs, FPCs, women and new entrepreneurs, start-ups, etc.

 

The LuLu Group International is a retail chain that operates 247 Lulu stores and 24 shopping malls across the GCC, Egypt, India and Far East. LuLu Group serves 1.2 million customers daily.-TradeArabia News Service