Cashew body to host buyer-seller meet

The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India will celebrate its golden jubilee year in style by organising a three-day, buyer-seller meet in Kovalam in Kerala's capital from September 15 to 17.

Sasi Varma, secretary, Cashew Export Promotion Council of India, said that the meet, which has been christened Kaju India 2006, is expected to benefit Indian cashew processors and exporters as well as overseas buyers.

"The meet, to be held at Hotel Leela Kovalam Beach, has Vision 2020 as its central theme. We would aim at providing an atmosphere conducive to free interchange of ideas at the meet. The focus of discussions would be on the cashew industry in the country," he added.

"We would like various stakeholders to gain a better understanding of each other's needs and create a roadmap towards a win-win situation in the future," Varma said.

The inaugural ceremony on September 15 will see the participation of representatives from the government, including policy planners and the cashew fraternity, he added.

The second day of the meet will deal with the current situation of the cashew industry in the country. The discussions will cover trends in cashew cultivation both in the Indian and global context, imports, exports, Indian consumption and governmental and other supporting organisations.

Besides, the meet would also be a platform for buyers to spell out their wishlist on what they expect from suppliers of cashew kernels from India.