Mumbai, November 14, 2008: CII's 2nd International Exhibition "Food & Bev Tech 2008" records impressive gathering with active and dynamic participation from National and Global players. "This Exhibition is an essential support to reach the objectives of reducing wastage, ensuring remunerative prices for producers, generation of employment, display of new products and timely delivery of reasonably priced products to the final consumer", said Mr Ashok Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India during his special visit to the Food & Bev Tech 2008.

The Exhibition was inaugurated by Shri Subodh Kant Sahai, Hon' ble Union Minister of State (Ind. Charge) Food Processing Industries, Govt of India on Thursday, November 13, 2008

Ostensibly with technology being the only solution to meet the demands of the ever changing consumer needs, it is high time that India applied better technologies be it in packaging or processing, a fact that everyone seemed to agree to. Noting a high enthusiasm among the exhibitors, the CII Exhibition displayed the right kind of equipment and machinery for the growing food and processing sector. Commending the kind of support and helping hand rendered by CII by organizing these events, Mr Sinha said that it permitted small scale units to look at standard as well as innovative products and encouraged manufacturers to innovate, create and thereby improve time and work efficiency.

According to The Tinplate Company of India Ltd, the CII Exhibition has given them a lot of exposure to their new innovative and customized products. " We are looking forward to meet more prospective clients for our products," said an official of the company". Talking about the exhibition an official of Blue Star Ltd, a company into the manufacture of air conditioning and commercial refrigeration said " Exhibition helps to meet targeted customers by offering a wide platform to showcase our products .

It was not only Indian companies but even multinationals who were hugely benefited by participation. John Bean Technologies Hong Kong Ltd, an American Company engaged in manufacturing of food processing machinery proposed to introduce new technology into the Indian markets by offering a wide range of products which would result in enhancing shelf life of fruits and vegetables. A German based company, Netzsch Technologies India Pvt Ltd which imports machinery directly from Germany expressed its satisfaction over the turnout at the Exhibition and said that it was beyond their expectations.

The 3 day exhibition (13 th - 15 th Nov) being organized at MMRDA Grounds at BKC, aims to provide an excellent platform to showcase the latest machinery, equipment, raw materials & accessories required by the Indian food and beverages manufacturing industry. The exhibition this year witnessed active participation from more than 100 Indian companies like Blue star, HRS Process, Rinac, Testo, Carrier Refrigeration, Heat & Control, John Beans Technologies, Goma Engineering, Srujann, Siemens, Tata Tin Plate, Netzsch, Ruchi Soya, Beri Cap, Perks Engineering, Domino Print Tech, Frick India etc along with Pavilions from Italy and South East Asian Countries.

The exhibition highlights include the Innovative Product Pavilion & Italian Pavilion, an initiative of CII to ensure that industry is abridged of the latest innovative developments as innovation is the key to success. Innovative product pavilion highlights product innovation & latest manufacturing trends developed by companies for the food & beverage processing industry. At the Italian Pavilion, the Italian companies would focus on machineries for dairy, fruit juice, ice cream, pasta making, can food producers, etc.

As the exhibition progressed into the second day it did seem that the CII's vision to position India as a major global player in the processed food sector was principally achieved.