Cover Story
Over 30 Turkish Companies Expected to Showcase Technologies at GrainTech India 2013
All Eyes on India Around 40 Indian grain and flour millers were present at the show to explore new technologies, apart from many machinery suppliers representing Turkish companies in India. A delegation from LT Foods was also there, and as per trade sources, they are also planning to upgrade their facilities and are expected to launch a pasta project in India to add more products in their portfolio. LT Foods has recently launched branded atta in the country. The interest in India was visibly clear upon everyone’s face at IDMA. The President of Pasta Industrialists Association of Turkey Murat Bozkurt showed keen interest during his presentation at a conference while answering a question raised by this publication on the possibilities of launching more Turkish pasta brands in Indian markets which is the fastest emerging in the region. In fact few pasta and olive oil brands of Turkey have already been launched through modern retailing chains. Sayfullah, Incharge for Marketing of Silos, MySilos, said, “We are doing 2 turnkey silo projects in South India and are ready to have office and technology support in the country to capture more business opportunities”. Garib of Ugur Group was also excited about their participation in Grain Tech India as they got a turnkey flour mill project namely Maharaja Flour Mills last
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year which is near completion. The project is based in interior Maharshtra (Jalna). Interestingly an Indian company Shri Vishwakarma (Emery Stones) Industries Pvt Ltd also participated in the show and displayed its automatic and digital chakki plant. R.S. Choyal, Executive Director, Shri Vishwakarma Industries, was happy with the participation and got positive response from neighbouring countries which too traditionally have same category machines in the forms of small flour mills. The company is also going to have a joint venture (JV) with a leading Turkish company in near future as it has a fully green project near Ajmer to make modern silo plants and grain milling solutions. Massive Interest in Grain Tech India 2013 The organizers of Grain Tech India also invited a delegation of TMO (General Directorate of Turkish Grain Board), a department responsible for all grain related import-export. The Member of the Board of Directors and Deputy Director Geberal Ugur ERKAYMAZ showed keen interest and said, “We have a close relation with India. As far as wheat is concerned, India has surplus wheat. The possibilities are immense in pulses as well, as India is one of the biggest importers of pulses. So, hopefully we may send a delegation to Grain Tech India 2013”. The President of All Afghanistan Fortified Flour Mill Association Engr. Mohammad Hashim Ghazniwal, who is
AgriBusiness & Food Industry w May 2013
also the Chairman of Unique International Group of Companies, also showed an interest in leading a large delegation of members representing the association. “The overall response for grain Tech India was overwhelming and we are expecting over 30 companies from Turkey, out of which 15 will be first timers. Apart from this, over 100 companies from 20 countries are also expected to take part,” said M.B. Naqvi, Chief Coordinator, Grain Tech India. According to A.A. Kazmi, Vice President, Media Today Group, “An extensive promotion campaign was launched during IDMA to promote Grain Tech India 2013 to invite Turkish grain and flour milling technology exporters to explore vast business opportunities in India”. He further said the participants were extremely curious to know about Indian grain milling sector and the possibilities in the segments of silos and related equipment, and value-added products like pasta. “As per trade sources, Alapala, MySilos and Altuntas got massive business as a result of their last two years’ participation in Grain Tech India. This news was a hot topic during the show and was worth to inspire new exporters to explore vast Indian markets. Indian millers are also giving orders to Turkish companies for the modernization of their plants and also for the adaptation of the latest technology including n automation,” Kazmi added.