The Ministry of Food Processing Industries in partnership with Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI), and Government of Bihar, is organizing International Buyer Seller Meet (IBSM) in Patna, Bihar on 19^th & 20^th May 2025. The event aims to bring together key stakeholders from the food and allied sectors to promote trade, strengthen exports, and unlock Bihar’s agri-food potential.

The inaugural session was graced by Shri Chirag Paswan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, Shri Vijay Kumar Sinha, Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Mishra, Hon'ble Industries Minister of Bihar and other senior officials from the MoFPI, APEDA, TPCI, and Government of Bihar. 

The meet is witnessing participation from 70 international buyers representing 20 countries, including six global retail chains, alongside 50 domestic and 20 institutional buyers. With over 400 curated B2B meetings, the event is poised to generate new market linkages, boost procurement opportunities for local MSMEs and FPOs, and translate Bihar’s agri-strengths into export success.

This Meet witnessed strong interest from global players like LuLu Group (UAE), SARTAJ (Japan), Datar & Sons, (UAE) and Global Foods Trading (Germany), who are exploring large-scale procurement of rice, spices, makhana, and fruits from Bihar. Companies such as Royal Golden Trading (UAE) and UVR Natural Foods (India) have also announced concrete sourcing plans, reaffirming Bihar’s emergence as a trusted sourcing hub under the proactive efforts of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

The session began with a welcome address by Shri Abhishek Dev, Chairman, APEDA, who emphasized that the IBSM is an outcome of sustained institutional efforts to bridge market access for India’s agricultural producers and processors. He noted that initiatives such as the launch of ‘Tracenet 2.0’ in 2025 for traceability of organic and GI-tagged products would further enhance credibility and export readiness of Indian produce.

Shri Mihir Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries, Government of Bihar and Shri Minhaj Alam, Additional Secretary, MoFPI also stressed upon the need to increase the level of food processing in the state to generate long term employment and investment.

Shri Nitish Mishra, Hon’ble Minister of Industries, Government of Bihar, in his keynote address, stated, “Bihar has the potential to become the growth engine of East India.” He mentioned about the presence of a Government of India-approved Mega Food Park at Muzaffarpur and encouraged investors to leverage Bihar’s industrial infrastructure. He mentioned state’s investor-ready ecosystem and the proactive allotment of land within 7 days through the Single Window Clearance System.

Shri Vijay Kumar Sinha, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Government of Bihar, underscored the importance of the food processing sector and mentioned that it is the best way to double farmers’ income.

The Inaugural Address was delivered by Shri Chirag Paswan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, who reiterated the Government’s vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047”. He stated, “This International Buyer Seller Meet is not just a trade event, it is a turning point for rural prosperity.” The Minister further added “We envision Bihar's youth to become job creators, not job seekers. We will ensure every investor is fully facilitated by the Government.”

Reflecting on Bihar’s rich civilizational legacy, the Minister highlighted its historic leadership in shaping the nation. “Being the land of Aryabhatta, Sita Mata, Chanakya, Lord Mahavira and Lord Buddha—Bihar has always shown the way. That same potential will now power the growth of the food processing sector,” he noted. “Bihar’s fertile land and entrepreneurial spirit will play a pivotal role in positioning India as a Global Food Basket.” He affirmed that the vision of a Viksit Bihar is inseparable from the vision of a Viksit Bharat—one will naturally lead to the other.

Shri Chirag Paswan stated that, in the financial year 2024–25, his Ministry has sanctioned a record 10,270 loans worth ₹624.42 crore under the PMFME Scheme to micro food processing units in Bihar—the highest for any state in the country. He emphasized that this achievement is not a coincidence, but the result of the Government’s focused push to translate the vision of Viksit Bihar into ground-level impact. It reflects both the Ministry’s resolve to strengthen rural enterprise and the resounding trust that Bihar’s micro-entrepreneurs have placed in the policies of the Government.

Drawing a parallel with the ancient glory of Nalanda, where scholars from across the world once came in pursuit of knowledge; he remarked that the newly announced NIFTEM in Bihar will carry forward that legacy. It will become a modern-day centre of excellence, attracting bright minds from across India to advance research, innovation, and training in food technology. “From being the land of wisdom to becoming a hub of innovation in food, Bihar is once again ready to lead,” he said.

The Minister also extended a warm invitation to all stakeholders to participate in World Food India 2025, the Ministry’s flagship global event, which will showcase India’s strength and opportunities in food processing to the world.

Hon’ble Minister, Food Processing Industries also launched a strategic report titled “Strategies to Boost India’s Makhana Exports”, underscoring Bihar’s leadership in this unique GI-tagged product.

Significantly, 12 companies announced procurement commitments for rice, pulses, spices, fruits, vegetables, and makhana from Bihar—marking a breakthrough in long-term sourcing partnerships with countries. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by the Chairman, TPCI, who praised the collaboration between the central and state governments and expressed optimism about the investment and export momentum generated by the event.

The Bihar International Buyer-Seller Meet 2025 serves as a key platform for strengthening Bihar’s position in India’s food processing and agri-export landscape. Over the course of two days, the IBSM will feature curated B2B engagements, technical capacity-building sessions, and an exhibition showcasing Bihar’s vibrant food processing ecosystem and value-added product offerings. The event is expected to catalyse partnerships, attract investments, and open new avenues for economic development of the state.

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STK

(Release ID: 2129659)