Consulate General of India, Shanghai in association with Tea Board of India, organized a Symposium on Indian Tea on 20th April 2009 at Renaissance Yangtze Jiang. The event was organized on the sidelines of the ongoing Shanghai International Tea Culture Festival (15-23 April 09) in which a delegation of Indian companies led by the Deputy Chairman of Tea Board of India had participated with an Indian Pavilion.

In her opening address, Consul General of India Riva Ganguly Das highlighted the growing economic and commercial relations between India and China and called on representatives of the tea industry to give a further boost to promoting the Darjeeling Tea brand in China. Introducing the delectable flavours of India Tea to the audience, she mentioned that since India and China had strong tea-drinking cultures, people of both the countries should be offered an opportunity to savour each other’s Tea.

Chairman of Tea Institute of Shanghai, Mr. Huang Han Qing delivered the key note address on behalf of Madame Hua Bei, Vice Governor of Zhabei District and Secretary General of Organising Committee of Shanghai International Tea Culture Festival, and welcomed the Indian Tea delegation and expressed her hope for more cooperation in the future. Deputy Chairman Tea Board of India, Ms. Roshni Sen, made a detailed presentation introducing Indian Tea and outlined areas in which the Tea industry of both countries could collaborate.

The interaction between leading Indian and Chinese Tea Companies was aimed at acquiring better understanding of business opportunities in both countries and forging new partnerships in the tea industry. It was attended by over 50 representatives of leading Chinese Tea Companies, major retailers, tea agents, and members of the local media. The event lasted for two and half hours and included activities like Indian Tea tasting, presentations on Indian Tea making, Q&A session followed by cocktails cum dinner.

Today, India is the largest producer of tea in the world (981 million tones in 2008) and is exporting tea to almost every part of the world. Indian Tea exports to China in 2008 stood at 0.70 million kgs. 100% FDI is allowed in Indian tea plantations and JV with foreign partnerships are being encouraged with assured supplies from Indian Tea plantations. Tea Board of India acts as a facilitator for the development of the Tea Industry in India and promotion of Indian tea globally.