Uk–punjab Agri-tech Roundtable Conference At Mega Food Park, Ludhiana

A roundtable conference involving a delegation from the United Kingdom
(UK) and representatives of the Food Processing Industry was held on 30th October
2026 at Mega Food Park, Ladhowal, Ludhiana. The conference aimed to explore
opportunities for bilateral investment, trade and technological collaboration
between Punjab and the United Kingdom.
The discussions were led by Ms. Alba Smeriglio, British Deputy High
Commissioner, along with sector experts and representatives from the UK
Government’s Department of Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
The event was jointly organised by Punjab Agro Industries Corporation
(PAIC), the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Invest Punjab. The event
was attended by Mr. Rishabh Bansal, Addl. Managing Director, PAIC; Mr. Ashpreet
Sahni, Former Chairman, CII Ludhiana Zone; Mr. Amandeep Grewal, Deputy Head
of the British Mission; Mr. Anup Narayanan, Senior Trade Adviser; Mr. Japinder
Singh Bajwa, General Manager, PAIC; and other senior officials.
Representatives from several prominent Food Processing Industries,
including Godrej Foods, BONN Bread, Cremica Foods, DelMonte, Basant Foods, Star
Foods, Anand Kartar Bakery, GEP Group, Mama Grains, Chanakya Dairy, Beehive
Farms, BD Agro, Amar Agriculture, BF Biotech, Milkfed and Markfed, also
participated in the roundtable.
The benefits and opportunities arising from the India–UK Free Trade
Agreement (FTA) were discussed at length. It was highlighted that the reduction in
tariffs could boost bilateral trade and investment, facilitate the movement of
agricultural and food processing equipment, and simplify custom procedures.
Robotic packaging equipment was cited as an example, wherein tariffs have
reportedly been reduced from approx. 8% to nearly zero following the FTA.
Several areas of potential collaboration were also explored, including
breeding technologies and genetics, carbon projects, animal husbandry,
modernisation of Punjab's agricultural sector and horticulture. The UK delegation
informed the industry representatives that its key focus areas include business
innovation, science and trade, traceability, quality testing, with an emphasis on
fostering partnerships and encouraging investment through the joint venture route.
During the interaction, industry representatives highlighted specific areas
where UK collaboration could be beneficial. They requested the UK delegation to
facilitate access to improved seed potato varieties and related technologies to
enhance agricultural productivity and increase yields. Industries also expressed
interest in exploring the possibility of importing raw chicken from Punjab into the
UK, citing the sector's significant potential. Milkfed, meanwhile, expressed interest
in exploring joint partnerships to facilitate its entry into the UK market.
Punjab Agro highlighted the investment opportunities available to British
Food Processing Industries at Mega Food Park, Ludhiana, a state-of-the-art
industrial project developed under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, GoI.
PAIC also offered to act as a facilitator and coordinator between the Food Processing
Industries operating at Mega Food Park and their counterparts in the UK to promote
business linkages, encourage joint ventures and facilitate mutually beneficial
partnerships between the two countries.
The roundtable provided a valuable platform for meaningful interaction
between the UK delegation and Punjab's industrial stakeholders, opening avenues
for enhanced bilateral cooperation, investment and technology transfer in the agriculture and food processing sect

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