Tap overseas market with strong Tamil diaspora, T.N. entrepreneurs urged

Entrepreneurs should tap export opportunities for their products, said speakers at the Tamil Nadu Food Processors’ Conclave held in Tiruchi on Friday.

Speaking at the conclave organised here by the State government, South Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SICCI) and Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME), Deputy Director of Department of Commerce and Industries Raveendran on Friday said the tendency of selling the products in the domestic market could be beneficial to an extent. It was the overseas market that fetched maximum returns to the consumer-centric products because of the price advantage. The Tamil diaspora was strong in many countries. Many of them were fond of their traditional food. They had excellent buying power. Similarly, products from Tamil Nadu had a high demand in several countries. It should be harvested. The Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) should focus on it.

“Quality is the key. There can be no compromise on quality. If quality is ensured, orders will knock the doors,” Mr. Raveendran said. The producers should never fail to get quality certificates from the respective agencies. It would give an edge to the products in the market. Twelve types of subsidy schemes were available for food related products. The entrepreneurs should have a clear understanding on the subsidy and loan schemes. Similarly, the companies should conduct frequent energy audits to cut down the electricity expenses. It would reduce the overheads, he said.

B. Nandhakumar, State Lead Project Manager, PMFME Scheme, Tamil Nadu, Vinod Solomon, SICCI, T. Ramesh, General Manager, District Industries Centre, and G. Sathish Kumar, secretary, Export Import Federation, Tiruchi, spoke.

A large number of entrepreneurs of various food products participated in the programme.