World spice congress to open in Pune on 9 Feb.

Monday, 30 January 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Kochi: The World Spice Congress is scheduled to be held in Pune during 9-11February. The Spices Board of India is teaming up with the All-India Spices Exporters’ Forum to organise the Congress that would be attended by spice buyers, processors, manufacturers, producers and traders from over 35 countries.

The 11th edition of the World Spice Congress is expected to draw a record number of delegates from around the globe including Canada, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Sweden, the UK, the US, Malaysia, South Africa, Syria, Australia, China, Italy, Poland, France, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Singapore, Turkey, Belgium, Indonesia, Israel, Austria, Ethiopia, Finland, Ukraine, Vietnam, the UAE, Japan and Romania, a press release issued here has said.

The registration process is in full swing and over 200 international delegates and 300 Indian participants have already registered for the event, whose theme ‘Sustainability and Food Safety - Global Initiatives’ is reported to be a key attraction for the large turnout expected from overseas.

The deliberations would set the momentum and have long-lasting effects on the pattern of the global spice trade, the release said.

Eminent speakers would share their experiences and expertise and guide the industry towards a sustainable future. Sustainability and food safety are two challenges that confront the industry, threatening its very existence, it said.

The majority of spices producers and exporters are unable to meet the fast-changing standards set by the foreign countries. The criteria governing these standards differ from one country to the other. The Congress would address the need to standardise these rules.

In view of recent developments in the area of contaminants and significant changes in the legal and regulatory environment in most countries, the changes that can impact spices exports appear to be far-reaching and challenging.

Dr. M.S Swaminathan will inaugurate the Congress. The business sessions would focus on crops and markets, contaminants, sustainability initiatives, supply chain challenges for consumers and the emerging market. The Congress would also showcase an exhibition of spices which would have participation from companies both within and outside India.