French cos heading to Punjab, Himachal

New Delhi, Mar 7 (UNI) French food-processing companies are heading towards Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to tap their huge potential in agribusiness.

''We are seeking technical and financial cooperation with Indian companies in food-processing and agri-business,'' Mr Nicolas Forissier, French Minister of State for Food Processing Industry , told UNI.

Mr Forissier, who came here with a delegation of 12 French companies recently, said Punjab and Himachal Pradesh had huge potential in agribusiness and Gujarat in dairy farming.

''France, which is the world's first exporter of processed food such as cheese, and the biggest producer of wine, can help India develop a dynamic food processing industry,'' he said.

''We have experience and India has a flourishing market. This is a ground for good cooperation and I am optimistic that this engagement will be fruitful,'' he added.

India has already finalised 'Vision 2015' for developing its food processing sector, and France is expected to play an important role in realising that vision.

According to 'Vision 2015', which would require an estimated investment of Rs 10,000, India plans to treble the size of its processed food sector by increasing the level of processing of perishables from per cent to 20 per cent, value addition from 20 per cent to 35 per cent, and share in global food trade from 1.5 per cent to 3 per cent by that year.

Mr Forissier said India's agri-industries had tremendous potential which was not fully realised elsewhere in the world.

By cooperating with France, an advanced country in food technology and equipment, India could increase the size of its food processing sector considerably, he said.

''It's a win-win situation for both.'' Mr Forissier, who was here on his third visit as part of the French Government's initiative to support French small and medium enterprises to help set up business in India, also had detailed discussions with his Indian counterpart Subodh Kant Sahai.

French Ambassador Dominique Girard said he was delighted to see that a large number of French companies were interested in doing business in India.

''It is a high priority for us and we look forward to more bonded relationship between the two countries,'' he said.

At present, 270 French companies operate in India of which only 30 are agro-based.

UNI