Mumbai: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, has signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LuLu Group International (LLC), a leading retail chain in the Middle East and Asia. The agreement was formalized in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Minister in charge of Talent Attraction and Retention, Ministry of Economy, UAE.
Under this partnership, LuLu Group will prominently feature a diverse range of certified Indian organic products across its stores in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). APEDA will facilitate these efforts by connecting Indian organic growers, including Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), and cooperatives, with LuLu Group. This collaboration is aimed at expanding the global footprint of Indian organic products.
Key initiatives outlined in the MoU include:
- Dedicated Shelf Space: Indian organic products certified under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) will be given dedicated shelf space in LuLu hypermarkets.
- Promotional Campaigns: These will include product sampling, interactive events, consumer feedback drives, and promotional activities to enhance product visibility and consumer awareness.
- Buyer-Seller Meets (BSM) and Trade Fairs: Organized to boost organic exports and forge stronger business connections.
- Exposure Visits: Indian FPOs, FPCs, and cooperatives will have opportunities to visit LuLu Group’s infrastructure in the UAE, gaining insights into international retail markets.
This strategic partnership is expected to greatly enhance the global reach of Indian organic products and stimulate the growth of organic farming in India. By bridging the gap between Indian producers and global consumers, the MoU aims to create a robust link between Indian organic agricultural producers and international markets.
APEDA plays a crucial role in promoting the export of scheduled agricultural and processed food products from India and serves as the Secretariat for the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), which regulates organic exports from the country.