The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, will hold the first-ever virtual trade fair on APEDA’s website to promote Indian exports. It will bring exporters and international buyers on a common platform to conduct business. Anil Swaroop, IAS, Chairman, APEDA, who was in Bangalore on June 11, 2001, informed the processed food industry about this initiative.

In order to promote the concept of using the Internet for international trade, APEDA had recently organised a road show at World Trade Centre, Mumbai. The Virtual Trade Fair as a concept holds a more practical, pleasant and cost-effective marketing experience for those in the export industry, according to APEDA. It blends virtual with real time services by enabling companies to showcase themselves, their products, services and infrastructure directly to their target buyers.

The Virtual Trade Fair will be available to clients all over the world, 365 days and 24 hours unlike a normal trade fair. Visitors and buyers can come back at their own convenience as many times as required.

The Fair will offer all exporters, irrespective of their being big or small, the opportunity to exhibit their products and services at an affordable cost. No manning of the booth and other associated upheaval will be required. It also offers a steady flow of leads at a manageable pace.

Buyers can experience the benefits of attending a real exhibition without the inconvenience of travel, accommodation and time out of their place of business. They can also visit the expo as often as they like from a PC at home or at work, and liaise with exhibitors using email. Key decision makers also can now visit the online trade fair through their PCs.

The Fair website is structured just like a real trade fair. The site contains a lobby where the user can get oneself registered. It contains a trading zone where one can post the offered product and specify the quantity, his demand for a specific product and price, a display section where one can display their special offer, scheme and product.

The website also contains an exhibition hall which displays the individual exhibitor and provides every detail of the vendor’s profile, product and offering. The Information Centre consists of an event calendar, an event tracker and a quality assurance section, which provides a comprehensive resource along with links to all quality testing sections and procedures. The site also consists of an auditorium, which acts as a stage for online seminars and discussions. There will also be a help desk to clear problems and queries of the visitors to the site.

The Internet is undoubtedly the medium of the future and virtual trade fairs are becoming the most powerful and popular way of doing business internationally, feel APEDA representatives.

Other than holding the virtual trade fair, APEDA will also set up export zones across the country. It has identified five focus areas in Karnataka. These are gherkins, grapes, mangoes, pomegranates and rose onions. Swaroop has also suggested that floriculture can be added to the list.

An international auction centre will be set up soon in Bangalore. Investments worth Rs 3.57 crore from APEDA with an equal amount from the state government have been made for the project.

Another emerging area, which is of significance according to APEDA, is that of using bar code technology in agro products for exports. Bar codes are used all over the world especially as they offer a number of benefits to the industry. The use of Bar code technology has become imperative. It has almost become mandatory for participation in larger global markets. In fact, not having a product with a bar code is a handicap as this may turn into a major non-tariff barrier.

The APEDA offers information to entrepreneurs in the food processing and export industry on the following. Its bulletin, Financial Assistance Schemes has details on:

• Feasibility studies, surveys, consultancy and database upgradation
• Scheme for infrastructure development
• Scheme for export promotion and market development
• Scheme for packaging development
• Scheme for assistance to promote quality and quality control
• Scheme for upgradation of meat plants
• Scheme for organisation building and HRD
• Scheme for generating relevant research and development by APEDA through research institutions for common benefit of trade and industry
• Form for application for financial assistance under APEDA Schemes

For details on marketing assistance,please refer to APEDA’s bulletin, Marketing Development Assistance, which has information on:

• Eligible items
• Direct assistance to individual exporters
• Grantee organisation’s sponsored events
• Pattern of assistance