India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), the country’s apex body of pulses and grains industry & trade, announced the GLOBAL PULSES CONCLAVE (GPC). A first-of-its-kind conclave in India for the world pulses industry and trade, GPC will be hosted from February 15 to 17, 2012 at Hotel Renaissance Convention Centre in Mumbai. GPC is supported by the Government of India, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Department of Consumer Affairs).
Pravin Dongre, President - IPGA speaking about GPC said, ‘Asia is the focus of the world pulses market and GPC will enable stakeholders in the pulses sector viz., Producers, Processors, Traders, Consumers, Machinery Suppliers, Policy Makers, Financiers, Analysts and related others to get together and plan their business strategies for the year ahead by networking with business associates from around the world.”
Shri Rajiv Agarwal, (I.A.S.) Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution shall inaugurate the GPC. Prof K. V. Thomas, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Food, Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution has consented to deliver the valedictory address.
G. Chandrashekhar, Chairman - GPC Organising Committee said, “GPC will have three key components viz., a Seminar, an Exhibition and a series of B2B meetings between stakeholders. The seminar will comprise of a series of stimulating presentations by speakers from India and abroad.”
GPC shall feature key address by Rajiv Agarwal on the Government’s Policy Perspective for the Pulses Sector; Brian Clancey, Publisher & Editor, STAT Publishing will speak on ‘The Global Pulses Market and Supply Outlook for 2012’; and an address by Hakan Bahceci, President – CICILS (Global Confederation). The highlight of the Seminar would be ‘Pulses Market & Price Outlook for 2012’ by an eminent panel of experts.
On the International front, major organisations like ETG Group from East Africa, Columbia Grain from USA, and SASCAN Canada are expected to make major announcements about their plans of investments in India. IPGA has also received confirmation of participation from Pulse Canada and Pulse Australia. The 11-member Canadian delegation will be headed by Mr. Gordan Bacon and the 5-member Australian delegation will be led by Mr. Gavin Gibson. Trade delegations from other exporting countries like Myanmar, Africa, Europe and USA have also confirmed participation.
GPC will feature origin presentations by experts from USA, Canada, Australia, Myanmar, South America, Africa, Middle East, Russia, Ukraine and France in addition to India. They will present a status report on the Pulses Industry in their respective countries, their crop outlook, export expectations, etc.
As a part of the conclave IPGA is organizing five (05) Panel discussions; one each on Peas, Desi Chick Peas, Urad / Moong / Tuvar, Kabuli Chick Peas and Red & Green Lentils. Each panel will include one representative each from the exporting countries and India. Each panel will present an outlook for the respective crop in their country and the discussion will end with the panel announcing a Crop and Price Outlook for the forthcoming year. An interactive session on ‘Plant Quarantine Issue’ has been planned.
A number of B2B meetings are expected to take place, with tremendous networking opportunity for pulses buyers & sellers as well as for service providers. As February is the month of India’s Rabi harvest, a large number of trade transactions are likely to happen during the Conclave.
GPC is already attracting a lot of attention from across the globe and a strong contingent of Indian and International delegates will participate. IPGA is expecting close to 500 delegates to attend the 3-day conclave with over 150 delegates coming in from abroad. As on date, well over 400 delegates have already registered for the GPC of which approximately 100 are international delegates. Apart from India, delegates are expected from Canada, USA, China, MENA (Middle East & North Africa), Singapore, Australia & India’s South Asian neighbors.