Dehradun: An industry interaction meet was organized by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) at a private hotel in the capital Dehradun. The Commerce Secretary, Government of India, who arrived to attend, discussed the promotion, processing and marketing of the House of Himalayas. After attending the Industry Interaction Meet, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal met CM Dhami at the Chief Minister’s residence. During the meeting, CM Dhami said that the government is working on various schemes to make Uttarakhand a hub of export of agricultural products. House of Himalayas has been launched to promote the products of the state. APEDA also has an important role in promoting organic farming, GI-tagged products in the state and taking the products of the state to the global level. At the same time, Sunil Barthwal, Secretary, Government of India, said that for the first time an Industry Interaction Meet was organized in a state by the Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce. He said that more than 200 people attended the Industry Interaction Meet program. Out of which the CEOs of the main agro processing and allied industries of Uttarakhand participated. Secretary Sunil Barthwal thanked the Chief Minister for the cooperation of the state government in organizing the Industry Interaction Meet. Secretary Sunil Barthwal said that during the Industry Interaction Meet, the possibility of promoting agriculture and horticulture in accordance with the climate of Uttarakhand state was discussed in detail. Many policy decisions were also taken on the export of agricultural products of Uttarakhand, organic farming and promotion of GI-tagged products. Under the Tea Development and Promotion Scheme (2023-2026), financial assistance to small tea producers of the state for setting up organic farming and industry has also been discussed. During the Industry Interaction Meet, Secretary Sunil Barthwal inaugurated the cart (mobile store) of House of Himalayas.
Along with this, MoUs were signed with several companies to give international recognition to the brand “House of Himalayas” of local products of Uttarakhand. MoU was signed between “House of Himalayas” and Lulu Group to promote the export and global access of high quality agricultural and processed food products of Uttarakhand, between “House of Himalayas” and Indian Institute of Packaging to improve packaging standards as per the international market, between “House of Himalayas” and Spices Board to promote the cultivation of local spices in Uttarakhand and get global recognition by manufacturing them.
