Dr. Subrata Gupta, Secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), chaired a roundtable interaction with key business leaders from the bakery and confectionery sector on December 18, 2024, at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi. The session provided a collaborative platform to address the industry’s challenges and explore strategies for enhancing growth and global competitiveness.
Raw Materials and Supply Chains:
Participants emphasized the need to enhance the availability of high-quality raw materials and streamline supply chains. Industry leaders called for regulatory reforms to benefit both large-scale manufacturers and smaller enterprises.- Investment Across the Value Chain:
Opportunities for increasing investments, particularly to support small-scale and specialty manufacturers, were highlighted. Industry representatives stressed the importance of integrating informal sector units into the formal economy to improve scalability, efficiency, and product quality. - Ease of Doing Business:
Simplifying regulatory frameworks and aligning policies to foster a more supportive business environment emerged as a key priority. Suggestions included streamlining compliance processes and creating a business-friendly ecosystem. - Sustainability and Innovation:
Discussions explored adopting innovative technologies and expanding domestic production of critical inputs, such as cocoa, to unlock new opportunities. Sustainability initiatives were also emphasized as a means to future-proof the sector. - Skill Development and Consumer Awareness:
The need for skill development and capacity-building programs, especially tailored for small and medium enterprises, was underscored as essential for driving innovation and growth. Additionally, participants recommended launching consumer awareness campaigns to promote the benefits of processed foods and increase their acceptance in domestic markets.
Dr. Gupta assured participants of MoFPI’s dedication to addressing industry concerns through a collaborative and solution-driven approach. He emphasized the importance of partnerships, strengthening the value chain, and creating an enabling environment for all stakeholders.
The Secretary encouraged industry leaders to collaborate with Invest India and submit detailed representations outlining actionable strategies to address their challenges effectively. This interaction marks another step towards fostering a robust and competitive bakery and confectionery sector in India.
