By Desmond Nleya
Dubai – Day 3 of the Gulfood World Economy Summit unfolded as a strategic deep dive into global food trade, frontier markets, and consumer transformation, with India and the UAE anchoring discussions on trust, resilience, and export-led growth in the global food system.
The day opened with a Spotlight Session titled “India Rising: Showcasing India’s Food Leadership, Global Partnerships & Export Excellence,” setting the tone for India’s role as Partner Country. Moderated by Sally Mousa of Forbes Middle East, the session highlighted India’s expansive participation across Gulfood venues and underscored the growing significance of India–UAE food trade relations, particularly under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Delivering the keynote address, Shri Avinash Joshi, Secretary at India’s Ministry of Food Processing Industries, outlined India’s vision for a modern, export-ready food processing sector. He emphasised value addition, regulatory reforms, and public-private collaboration as key drivers positioning India as a reliable global food supplier.
A high-level fireside discussion, “India–UAE: Building the World’s Most Trusted Food Supply Bridge,” explored the strategic depth of bilateral cooperation. Panelists including Shri Abhishek Dev (APEDA), Saleh Lootah (UAE Food Cluster), and Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, discussed strengthening food security, enhancing export infrastructure, and deepening private sector collaboration between the two nations.
The focus then shifted to policy and market realities during “Agri-Trade Strategies – What Can India Offer, What Are the Challenges and Roadmap Ahead.” Fellows from ICRIER, Suvangi Rath and Harsh Wardhan, examined competitiveness, market access barriers, and the need for data-driven trade strategies to sustain India’s export momentum.
Industry leaders took the stage in a major panel, “From Trusted Staples to Value-Add: How India Wins in the Region,” featuring executives from AMUL, Dabur International, Mother Dairy, Samex India, and Taali. Discussions centred on transitioning from commodity-led exports to premium, branded, and consumer-centric food products tailored for Gulf markets.
Following India’s closing remarks, the summit turned global in outlook. Nadia Swan, Independent Broadcast Journalist, introduced sessions addressing evolving consumer expectations, sustainability, and new growth frontiers.
South Africa’s export ambitions were spotlighted in “South Africa’s Green Gold: Cultivating a Competitive Edge in Gulf Markets,” where Johannes Monodowafa Mashaba, Strategic Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, outlined opportunities for South African agricultural products in the Gulf’s fast-growing food economy.
