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'India's agrifood tariffs are high'
By agencies
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Wednesday, 13 April 2005, 19:30 IST
NEW DELHI: France today asked India to address issues regarding high tariff and technical barriers in agri-food sector even as India invited the French food processing industry professionals to participate in its program for the development of a Mega Food Park.
"For French market operators in agri-food sector, India continues to be a difficult destination. The tariff barriers are still very high, specially in certain sectors such as wine," French Minister of State for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Rural Affairs, Nicolas Forissier said.
"Technical barriers are numerous and sometimes difficult to be identified, which is a source of insufficient visibility or prejudice for companies. We have to work on that point and we are open to discuss," Forissier said.
He said the volume of trade between France and India did not match the potential of the two countries, which were both major agricultural nations.
Seeking French cooperation for setting up mega food parks based on the Agro pole model, Minister of state for Food Processing Industries, Subodh Kant Sahai said, "This is of direct relevance to Indian food processing industries. We expect cooperation from France for food parks based on Agro pole model."
The Agro pole food park provides facilities for food processing companies under one roof for developing product concept, product testing, establishing pilot scale facilities and test marketing the final products.