The recent workshop on ‘Knowledge Building on the Korean Best Practices for Aqua and Seafood Processing and the Bilateral Partnership Dialogue’ jointly organized by the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) underscores the need for seafood trade exchange relations between India and South Korea.
Pawan Kumar, the president of the Seafood Export Association of India (SEAI), highlighted the necessity of consolidating the seafood trade between India and the USA. He stressed the importance of incorporating marine products into the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, highlighting the benefits that both sides would enjoy from the trade. Mr. N. Yuvaraj, Secretary of Commerce and Industries, AP Government, believes that the state of Andhra Pradesh has a great scope in food processing and aquaculture. He highlighted the role of knowledge sharing and collaboration with South Korea to fully develop such opportunities.
The seafood industry of South Korea was highly appreciated by Mr. Woochan Chang, current country director of KOICA-India, for adopting such high-level efficiency, quality, and innovation.Ch. Kishore Kumar, member of the FAPCCI’s Managing Committee, opined that small business owners can greatly benefit from venturing into this sector. The technical sessions involved presentations by the South Korean experts on various best approaches to aquaculture and seafood processing.
The topics included preparation of feed for fish, drying techniques and salting, shrimp breeding technology, disease prevention approaches, and technological solutions for fish waste utilization. Sudipta Bhadra, Chief Technical Adviser of Promoting Sustainable Enterprises in India (PSEI) ILO, said that the workshop was a significant move towards building the partnership between India and South Korea in the seafood exporting sector. It was primarily intended to let seafood exporters have easy access to the South Korean market.
