Piyush Goyal: In praise of packaging

Piyush Goyal, minister of commerce and industry, consumer affairs and food and public distribution and textiles, GOI was the chief guest of the event. He appreciated the award winners and emphasised the importance of packaging for Indian exports and its footprint in all industries. Goyal addressed the event virtually.

Goyal said, “Packaging is what makes a product sustainable and sellable. The packaging industry continues to demonstrate robust growth, despite ongoing challenges. Its innovations are a defining feature for Make In India. It should not only be ‘Make in India’ but ‘Pack In India’ as well," added Goyal.

Goyal spoke about his trade agreements (CEPA and ECTA) with UAE and Australia respectively. He said that his next goal includes getting many other countries to sign FTAs with India.

Chakravarthi AVPS of World Packaging Organisation (WPO), congratulated the minister on achieving 418 billion USD worth exports this fiscal.

Chakravarthi: No one can deny the role of packaging throughout the supply chain

“Packaging should be considered as an industry segment like any other major segments like steel, cement, chemicals, pharma, textiles and so on and every measure be taken for the upliftment of the industry and thereby contribute to the development of international trade,” said Chakravarthi.

AVPS spoke about the importance of packaging and the increased demand for products like hand sanitisers, surface cleaners, medicines and food during the pandemic.

He said, "Packaging has two purposes, one to protect a product and second to encourage customers to buy it. From concept to shelf (or to delivery to your home), no one can deny the multifaceted role of packaging throughout the supply chain".

AVPS also highlighted the future of pharma packaging. "The pharma packaging market is driven by two major factors: user centricity and sustainability. Packaging developments revolve around the patient's needs,'' concluded AVPS.

Chakravarthi AVPS is the managing director of Ecobliss India and the global ambassador of World Packaging Organisation (WPO). WPO is an international federation of national packaging institutes and associations, comprising around 64 countries. It encourages the development of packaging technology, science, access and engineering.