Thomex.com
As the second largest producer of sugarcane in the world, India's stature in the sugar manufacturing technology is not far behind. India is among the few countries which can boast of the latest, modernised technology when it comes to manufacturing and processing of sugar. The fact was more than evident during the Sugarasia 2008 show being held at Pragati Maidan, which was swarmed by international visitors, eager to know the latest developments in India.
Organised by Nexgen Exhibitions from July 25 to 27, 2008, the show was inaugurated by Dr Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Minister of State, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Govt of India. Speaking on the occasion, Singh said that the govt has put up a proposal for decontrolling the sugar prices, which awaits Cabinet’s approval.
The three-day event was also accompanied with conference on various issues related to sugar industry. The experts felt that decontrolling sugar prices will go a long way in helping the sugar industry, sugarcane producers and consumers alike. The decontrolling, the experts felt, may lead to initial escalation of prices but would soon stabilise. They were also of the opinion that levy on sugar and the governmental control over release mechanism should be done away with to help sugar manufacturing in the country.
The exhibition which was supported by International Sugar Organisation, Indian Sugar Mills Association and the Ethanol Manufactures Association of India also delved on issues like value addition in sugar industry, mechanised cane farming, sugar as a new petro-commodity, CDM and carbon credit opportunities.
Talking to thomex.com VK Bansal, Director, Nexgen said, "Today, India is a nodal point in sugar manufacturing and a leading country in sugar technology. Now, we stand at a point where we need not import any technology. Rather, we are capable of exporting it to other countries. This is one reason why manufacturers from countries like China, Japan, Taiwan and South Africa are here to know about sugar manufacturing in India."
"To ensure larger participation and give adequate facilities to the exhibitors we have organised the show in 20,000 sq m area housing more than 75 exhibitors," Bansal said.
The exhibition saw participation from country like Kyrgyzstan which specialises in sugar beet cultivation for its sugar needs. Heading a delegate of five businessmen, Yuldasheva Aziza, Executive Director, Association of Agro-businessman of Krygyzstan hoped that she will be able to establish links with Indian manufacturers for the mutual benefit of both.
"As a supplier of seeds, plant protection chemicals and fertilizers we are here to know more about Indian sugar technology and work out links with our Indian counterparts. As we also organise Agro Expo, we would like Indian manufacturers to come to our country and see how we can develop this business relations to its next level," Aziza said.
A large number of exhibitors who participated in the show were Indian manufacturers who were showcasing their machineries, tools and equipment including Storage techniques, Distillation & Fermentation process, Co-generation, Ethanol manufacturing etc.
Jaideep Pathak of ISGEC John Thompson, who provides complete solution to sugar mills said that the response was very encouraging as people from Congo, Vietnam and other African countries flooded his stall. "There were more than 70 visitors within the first two hours, and that from diverse background related to sugar industries," Pathak said.
There were others like Satara-based Kavitsu Group of Industries which came with the sole purpose of finding foreign clients. "The response, on the first day, was fairly good but we hope more people would come on the weekend. The positive point was that the visitors who came to us were serious, genuine people from sugar industry. We are planning to make an entry into international market, we hope this show will provide us the opportunity," Pravin Bartakke of Kavitsu said.
There were other companies like Ion Exchange, which made the show a befitting place for the launch of its new products. They launched their marketing campaign with the launch of Condensate Recovery water treatment for sugar industry and introducing a regent called Polystyronic INDON 830S for reducing the colour of the sugar.
"It was a delight to see owners, proprietors and top honchos visiting our stalls. They are the people who matters. They are competent to take quick-decisions for the induction of a technology in their mills," said PD Srivastava of Ion Exchange.
There were however, others who were not very happy with the response. For example B Venkat Kaushik of Entech Consultancy bureau, a Chennai-based company said that he expected a better visitor response. "There were no eminent delegates. I received only three responses since morning which is certainly not what I had expected," said a dejected Kaushik.
