Dr. Subrata Gupta, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), chaired a high-level roundtable interaction with leaders from the bakery and confectionery sector at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi on December 18, 2024. This pivotal meeting provided a platform for addressing industry challenges and exploring actionable strategies to boost growth and global competitiveness.
Key discussions revolved around improving access to quality raw materials, streamlining supply chains, and implementing regulatory reforms to support both large-scale and small-scale manufacturers. Industry representatives highlighted the need for enhanced investments across the value chain, particularly for small-scale and specialty producers. The integration of informal sector units into the formal ecosystem was identified as a crucial step toward improving efficiency, scalability, and quality standards.
Simplifying regulatory frameworks to ease business operations emerged as a priority. Participants proposed aligning policies to foster a more conducive business environment. Sustainability and innovation were also prominent topics, with calls for technology adoption and expanding domestic production of critical raw materials, including cocoa, to unlock untapped market opportunities.
The dialogue further highlighted the importance of skill development and capacity-building programs tailored to small and medium enterprises. Such initiatives aim to foster innovation and drive industry growth. Additionally, consumer awareness campaigns to promote the benefits of processed foods were discussed as a means to boost domestic acceptance.
Dr. Gupta reassured participants of the Ministry’s commitment to addressing industry concerns through collaborative efforts. He underscored the significance of partnerships and a robust value chain in creating an enabling ecosystem for the sector.
Industry representatives were encouraged to collaborate with Invest India and submit detailed proposals to address challenges effectively.
