The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Australia seeks to give a push to sale of its products in south

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 14, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Australia seeks to give a push to sale of its products in south

Staff Reporter

$1.2 million initiative launched; money to be spent over 2 years

DOING HIS BIT: Australian Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran (centre), checking out the products on display at one of the Australian stalls in the Foodpro Exhibition in Chennai on Sunday. — Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

CHENNAI: Australia on Sunday announced the launch of an Australian $1.2 million initiative to further build on the presence of its food products and beverages in south India.

Translating into Rs.50 million, the programme involves creation of Australian (food products and beverages) section in supermarkets in the region, Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Peter McGauran told presspersons here.

The initiative, under which the money will be spent over the next two years, is the key and first component of a five-year strategy drawn up by Australia to ensure greater access to its products. It will be managed by the National Food Industry Strategy Limited of Australia and Austrade, which are looking at long-term, sustainable partnership with Indian businesses. At the end of two years, Australia will evaluate the possibility of more investments.

In a release circulated at the meeting, NFIS managing director Susan Nelle said Australia's participation in the ongoing Foodpro exhibition, organised here by the Confederation of Indian Industry, "is the first step in this pioneering project. Considerable work has been done in India to identify potential retail partners. Within the next two years, the goal is to establish a platform for Australian foods in select supermarkets in Chennai and Bangalore."

A potential market

India is a potential market for Australian food products. Moreover, "India's food retail sector is undergoing enormous change. With approximately 300 shopping malls planned in the next few years, it presents a significant opportunity for Australian food producers ... "

Mr. McGauran, who formally opened the Australian pavilion at Foodpro earlier in the day, said a similar strategy involving almost an equal sum was employed in Singapore, China and Thailand to promote Australian products.

Besides selling the products, the project would address other issues on which the Indian businesses sought support, including cold chains management and logistics.

"We have something to offer," he said, pointing out that the Australian farmers were among the most efficient in the world. The main aim was to link up with local wholesalers and retailers. The supermarkets would see the value of Australian brands.

Agriculture Counsellor

The Minister also announced appointment of a counsellor to exclusively focus on agriculture-related issues at the Australian Embassy.

He would liaise between the governments and seek to exploit the market potential.

He said Australia had concerns over Indian tariff levels, complex regulations and quarantine issues.

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