Tech partnership JVs suggested

ASEAN and India, a combined market of 1.8 billion people and part of the Indo-Pacific region, should make specific efforts on agriculture and blue economy.

Along with agriculture, sustainable exploitation of aquatic resources and co-operation potential for exploiting ocean energy are among key areas for collective progress.

The importance of such collaboration was underlined at the ASEAN–India Business Meet and Expo held in New Delhi on 23 Jan 2018.

“It is important to recognize the concept of blue economy as it will help in forming a more holistic approach to sustainable development,” stressed Michael Williamson, Head of Office (Acting), Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia, UNESCAP.

It is also important for the welfare and livelihood of the small and marginal coastal farmers, he added.

Countries can tap into other sources for energy which is very important for India and ASEAN, and to address the sustainable agriculture goals of the blue economy, these countries will have to form new policies, said Williamson.

The agenda, going forward, should explore joint ventures between India and ASEAN on technology partnership, elaborated Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, Vice Chairman, International Relations of KADIN Indonesia and Owner and Chief Executive Officer, Sintesa Group.

Addressing the meet, Anil Khaitan, Chairman & Managing Director, Sunil Healthcare Limited, called for science-based approach to the blue economy.

“Oceans are important for the economy of coastal countries and we must plan and execute our economic development with special recognition for the coastal areas,” Khaitan told the meeting.

India and Asean can collaborate in processing and exporting value added food products, according to Devendra Kumar Singh, Chairman of the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority (APEDA)

India and ASEAN can collaborate for enhanced productivity, facilitating business to business interactions, and mutual recognition of trade barriers as well as setting up of standards across the region and certification, he stressed.

Food processing has been moving up in India, Singh pointed out at the Asean–India Business Meet and Expo organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi on 23 Jan 2018. fii-news.com