Kochi, Feb. 22 The re-establishment of the Indian Tea Promotion Centre in the Egyptian capital has become a reality, after nearly two decades, with the signing of an agreement to this effect by Dr Samy, Chairman and Managing Director, Misr Import and Export Company, Cairo, and Mr D.P. Maheswari, President, Upasi, in the presence of the Tea Board Chairman here on Saturday.
According to the agreement, Upasi will take possession of the centre in Cairo in March this year and after renovation of the building, promotional activities will commence from April, Mr Ullas Menon, Secretary- General, Upasi, told Business Line.
He said that the Egyptian company would provide all infrastructure facilities and logistical support for promoting the South Indian tea in the Arab Republic of Egypt.
The Union Commerce Ministry had last week given its green signal to go ahead with the proposal of Upasi through the Tea Board of India for setting up the centre in Cairo.
It was initiated following the Ministry’s offer to provide the initial investment of around Rs 50 lakh, Mr Ullas Menon, Secretary-General, Upasi, told Business Line. The industry would bear the cost of running the establishment after its inception, he said.
“An Egyptian expert, having vast experience in handling Indian teas, has been selected as a consultant. He will get the orders for supply from India. Interested exporters would supply samples. The Centre would have facilities for tea tasting and blending etc,” he said.
Al Nasr Export and Import Company would be handling the imports of tea and other commodities from India.
The Union Ministry of Commerce and the Tea Board have identified Egypt and Iran as thrust areas for improving exports. India had substantial market share in the CTC segment of Egypt till early 1990s. During 1981, India exported 18.76 million kg, of which 53 mkg was imported by Egypt, Mr Maheswari said.
According to him, subsequent to the COMESA agreement coming to force among the African countries in 1994, importing teas from India became more expensive on account of higher duties and gradually Kenya established their presence there.
From an average export figure of 13.5 mkg from 1971 to 1990, it got reduced to 5.6 mkg in 1990s and 0.3 mkg from 2001 to 2005.
The Board had been running a Tea Centre in Down Town Cairo which was wound up in 1980s, he pointed out.
“Even today, the road where we used to have the Tea Centre is known as “Road of Indian Tea”. South India got the major share in exports to Egypt, he said.
Upasi, on the suggestion of the Commerce Ministry, has taken the initiative to re-establish the India Tea Promotion Centre in Cairo.
Source : Business Line