Poland seeks partnership with India in agri, food processing

Poland today sought partnership with India in agriculture and food processing sectors and offered its expertise in these areas.

"During 2015, bilateral trade between India and Poland amounted to USD 2.2 billion. We have the expertise to handle 95 percent of our food processing requirements, while India only handles 10 percent, which holds scope for Polish collaboration in this area," Poland's Deputy President of Agricultural Market Agency Jaroslaw Olowski said here.

"Polish apples are world famous and we supply one crore apples every year to India, while India can consider increasing mango exports," he said.

"We are here to understand the Indian markets, its distribution channels, products and policies of India to strengthen trade which will be combined with sales, besides, exchange of culture activities between Poland and India." Speaking about the strengths of agriculture, dairy and animal husbandry sectors in the European country, Olowski said Poland is among top producers in poultry, fruit, vegetables and honey and can cater to Indian tastes.

Tomasz Lubaszuk, Ambassador of Poland, said his country looks forward to augment ties with India, especially in agriculture and food processing sectors.

The Embassy lends support to Indian businesses to set up base in Poland and vice-versa. There is great potential for culture and touristic exchanges which is proven from the fact that in the last five years, eight Bollywood films were shot in Poland, opening further scope, Lubaszuk said.

India's bilateral trade with Poland has grown almost 7-fold over the last 10 years. India has invested USD 3 billion in Poland, making it one of the most important countries to engage in business, he said.

The Maharashtra government is also keen to invite Polish investments and acquire technology from it in the dairy sector, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Department Mahadev Jankar said.