JEDDAH – Thirty eight Indian companies, under the banner of India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), are participating in the four-day Saudi Agro Food 2012 exhibition that opens today (Sept. 24) at Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre. The Indian Ministry of Food Processing Industries, and the government's Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) are taking part in the event. India's huge agro resource base and a host of natural advantages make it a chosen destination for sourcing a variety of agricultural products. Indian agri exports totaled $15599 million during 2011-12 (April-Feb.), out of which, Saudi Arabia accounted for approximately $1040 million. Major products being exported to Saudi Arabia are rice, buffalo and sheep and goat meat, fresh and preserved fruits and vegetables, confectionery and other processed foods. The Saudi Agro Food 2012 will have a dedicated India Pavilion in Hall No. 4 to showcase Indian products like spices, pickles, instant mixes, agri commodities, fresh fruits & vegetables, mango pulp, basmati & non basmati rice, frozen meat, processed meat, halal frozen boneless buffalo meat, grains, oil & oil seeds, foils & tissues paper products, ready to eat canned products, whole wheat atta, coconut juice, coconut oil, coconut milk, dessicated coconut, etc. The display of Indian products would be spread over in an area over 400 sq. m. India Trade Promotion Organzation is one of the premier trade promotion agencies of the Government of India. Equipped with a modern exhibition complex at Pragati Maidan and with its headquarters in New Delhi, ITPO is promoting trade through a wide gamut of activities ranging from fairs and exhibitions in India and abroad, overseas buyer-seller meets and contact promotion programs for promotion of Indian merchandise through reputed department store chains and dissemination of information on products, markets, importers-exporters, etc. ITPO is an umbrella organization for coordinating the efforts of various bodies and institutions in so far as promotion of India's trade is concerned. – SG
