MUMBAI:
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu will inaugurate on Saturday the Spices Board’s Buyer-Seller Meet (BSM) on the sidelines of the five-day Global Kokan Festival 2018 at CIDCO Exhibition and Convention Centre, Vashi, Navi Mumbai.
Around 75 spice exporters and 150 sellers representing spice growers, and growers’ associations/societies are slated to participate in the BSM, which will be formally declared open by Prabhu at 5.30 pm. The BSM will conclude on January 7 (Sunday) with a valedictory function that would be attended by Maharashtra Minister of State for Finance and Rural Development Deepak Vasant Kesarkar. Dr. A. Jayathilak, Chairman, Spices Board, will give a welcome address and P.M. Suresh Kumar, Director (Marketing), will propose a vote of thanks at the valedictory function.
The Spices Board conducts the BSMs at strategic locations across the country for providing a common platform for the buyers and the sellers of spice industry.
“Through the BSMs, the Board facilitates a common arena for the potential sellers and buyers to initiate direct business collaborations. This helps the spice growers fetch a remunerative price for their produce,” Dr. Jayathilak said.
The BSMs also facilitate better communication between the exporters and the spice growers, he added. The annual Global Konkan Festival, organised by the Kokan Bhumi Pratishthan, is being held from January 6 to 10. Its major aim is to enhance and explore tourism in the Konkan region. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) is the co-organiser of the event. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is a special mentor for this event and Kokan Mission.
