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November 22, 2024

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REFCOLD India 2023: An Optimal Spotlight on India’s INR 4.3 Trillion Cold Chain Potential and Food Waste Solutions

Chennai, October 12th, 2023: REFCOLD India, 2023, South Asia’s leading exhibition and conference dedicated to refrigeration and cold-chain technologies, commenced today at the Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai. Organised in collaboration between the Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE) and Informa Markets, REFCOLD India 2023 is set to redefine the industry landscape. This well-reputed event represents a significant step forward in the refrigeration and cold-chain sector, unveiling a vast potential cold-chain market of around INR 4.3 trillion by 2027.

The event’s grand inauguration was spearheaded by a rich array of dignitaries including Guest of Honour – Dr. R Velraj, Vice Chancellor, Anna University; Mr. Raja M Sriraam, Chairman, RECFOLD Chennai, ISHRAE; Mr. Yogesh Thakkar, National President, ISHRAE, Mr. Anoop Ballaney, National President Elect, ISHRAE and Mr Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India.

The 6th gala edition of REFCOLD India brought together top experts, businesses, and thought leaders who are driving the industry’s transformation with over 200 exhibitors, including an impressive lineup of industry giants such as BlueStar, Copeland, Rinac India, Tecumseh, Daikin, K-Flex, Yaskawa, and Danfoss, among others. The show anticipates more than 10,000 visitors, industry leaders, and professionals, for dynamic business opportunities, knowledge-sharing sessions, and networking.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Yogesh Thakkar, National President ISHRAE said, “The adoption of integrated cold chain solutions has the potential to significantly revolutionize the traditional perishables sector, bringing about substantial changes in the market landscape and overall growth. This is especially important in a country where agriculture employs 60% of the population. To harness the potential of integrated cold chain solutions, there is a need to optimise logistics, enhance value addition facilities, adopt green refrigeration practices, and adopt energy-efficient cooling systems and natural refrigerants ultimately improving efficiency across the supply chain. Similarly, the Indian organized food industry is a vast arena with significant potential. This underscores the substantial room for growth in the food delivery sector, which, when integrated with advanced refrigeration and cold chain solutions, can further enhance food quality, safety, and delivery efficiency.”

“The pandemic acted as a catalyst, propelling India’s online food delivery market to reach approximately $21 billion by 2026, with a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 30%”, he further added.

With the valuable support of MOFPI (Ministry of Food Processing Industries Government of India), other esteemed associations like IIR (International Institute of Refrigeration), NCCD (National Centre for Cold-chain Development), IDA (Indian Dairy Association), IIAR (International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration) and more, the event successfully bridged the gap between suppliers and buyers.

REFCOLD India offers an enriching programme of Conferences and exhibitions by technical experts of the industry focusing on Industrial Refrigeration along with Cold Chain and Reefer Transportation, Seminars and workshops on pharma, dairy, fishery and hospitality encouraging continuous learning and skill advancement. The expo covered important topics on Heat pump integrated thermal storage for dairy applications, Natural Refrigerants, Innovative Design or Technology for Net Zero Cold Storage Plants, Challenges on Dairy Processing and Storage, Safety Standards and Trouble Shooting of Refrigeration Plants, to name a few.

Commenting on the significance of REFCOLD India 2023, Mr Yogesh Mudras Managing Director, Informa Markets in India said “REFCOLD India provides a transformative journey that unlocks opportunities for fresh horizons and valuable collaborations. The expo offers a plethora of opportunities to connect with industry experts and learn about cutting-edge technologies. Furthermore, the government is also taking proactive steps to boost the refrigeration and cold chain industry by establishing extensive cold storage facilities nationwide. This initiative aims to minimize food wastage, encouraging eco-friendly refrigeration practices, while simultaneously stimulating economic growth. The added attractions including our content-rich conference that aligns with the theme of ‘Preserve through Innovation for a Better Future’ will gather experts, stalwarts, and key organizations and provide the momentum the market truly deserves!”

Distinguished speakers that graced the event included notable figures like Mr. Arvind Surange, Chairman and Managing Director of ACR Project Consultants Pvt Ltd; Dr. Lambert Kuijpers, an Environmental Consultant hailing from Venlo, Netherlands; Mr. C.P. Charles, a Central Executive Committee Member at the Indian Dairy Association; Dr. Alex Pachai, representing Global Consultancy, ApS in Denmark; Dr. Omar Abdulaziz, a Mechanical Engineer affiliated with The American University in Cairo, Egypt; and Mr. Jiju Nair, who holds the position of National Marketing Manager at Honeywell, among others.

Insights on India’s Cold Storage and Refrigeration Technology Market:

Advancements in refrigeration technology have led to energy-efficient systems, particularly beneficial in high-energy industries like chemical manufacturing. These optimized systems and eco-friendly refrigerants not only lower carbon footprints but also reduce emissions and water waste compared to traditional cooling methods like cooling water towers.

Additionally, in India, where agricultural production is vast, but access is limited, the cold chain sector plays a vital role, further driven by the growth of organized food delivery and e-commerce segments.

REFCOLD India gathers experts from the global and Indian refrigeration sectors to drive innovation and combat food waste. It highlights the importance of cold chain management,

Mr. Madhur Sehgal, Head Climate Solutions, Danfoss said, “We are bringing an exciting opportunity to all of you to have an exclusive visit to our lead Platinum Campus on 13th October 2023. This is a unique opportunity to witness the state-of-the-art campus with next-generation R & D and production facilities, an application development center, and a customer experience center showcasing the live working performance of our products in diverse industry applications. We will also be pleased to showcase the use of the latest technologies and specific actions on our campus on HVAC, Renewable Energy, Water, and waste management, leading to faster progress toward our Net Zero Emission goals. Please join us for this exclusive event on 13th October and discover how Danfoss can help you achieve your goals of clean growth and development.”

Mr. M Srinivas Reddy, Vice President, Commercial Refrigeration Business Group, Blue Star stated, “We, at Blue Star, recognise REFCOLD as the perfect platform to showcase various refrigeration solutions. We are confident that it will help us reach our target audience well and we wish REFCOLD a huge success.”

On the sidelines of the expo, Informa Markets in India launched its 4th edition of the Festivity of Business campaign for this year’s high season. As the autumn season blankets India with its diverse array of festivals, the initiative will be a vibrant tribute to India’s economic triumphs and its burgeoning global influence. This year, Informa Markets in India’s initiative encompasses a rich tapestry of over 40 events till year-end, including ten signature Expos, along with distinctive Conferences, Industry Awards, Buyer-Seller Meets, and Training programmes in influential sectors. All these are poised to elevate the nation to new heights.

Phoenix Marketcity Welcomes Renowned Television Personality Rannvijay Singha for the Grand Launch of Doner and Gyros Restaurant

Chennai, October 11 th , 2023: Phoenix Marketcity one of the premium malls in Chennai is thrilled to
announce the grand launch of Doner and Gyros, the latest addition to its diverse culinary landscape.
The inauguration ceremony will be graced by none other than the charismatic television
personality, Rannvijay Singha. On 13 th October 2023(Friday), at 4:00 PM – 5:00PM Doner and
Gyros, Phoenix Marketcity’s luxury arena Palladium.
Rannvijay Singha, known for his dynamic personality and keen sense of adventure, is set to add star
power to the launch of Doner and Gyros. The event promises to be a celebration of flavours and
entertainment, perfectly aligning with the vibrant spirit of Phoenix Marketcity. Doner and Gyros,
the newest culinary destination at Phoenix Marketcity, is set to redefine the gastronomic
experience for food enthusiasts. With a diverse menu featuring world class Mediterranean
delectable dishes and a modern ambiance, Doner and Gyros is poised to become a go-to
destination for food lovers.
The event will kick off with the ribbon-cutting ceremony by Rannvijay Singha, followed by an
exclusive tasting session of Doner and Gyros’ signature dishes. Attendees can also look forward to
interactive sessions with Rannvijay, where he will share his culinary experiences and engage with
the audience.
Don’t miss the chance to be part of this exciting greet and meet event at Phoenix Marketcity’s
luxury arena Palladium. Join us as we usher in a new era of gastronomic Mediterranean delight with
the grand inauguration of Doner and Gyros.

MathWorks Concludes MathWorks Automotive Conference 2023 in Pune and Chennai

Chennai; 10 October, 2023MathWorks, the leading developer of mathematical computing software, has successfully concluded its second MathWorks Automotive Conference 2023in Pune and Chennai. The event brought together engineers, automotive industry professionals, researchers, and academicians from across the country to discuss the latest trends, innovations, and challenges in the automotive industry.

Ramamurthy Mani, Engineering Director of MathWorks, delivered the keynote address, “Architecting Software-Defined Vehicles through Model-Based Design,” that shows how automotive engineers can use Model-Based Design for software architecture conceptualization, component design, software integration, and testing to enable higher quality and reliability of the final product. In addition, this year’s conference gathered noteworthy industry leaders and decision makers, including Sanjeev Madhav and Asawad Kulkarni from Tata Consultancy Services, Sivakumar Uppaluri from Volvo, Bhanu Prakash Padiri from Continental, Ujwala Karle from The Automotive Research Association of India, Neema Nair from Cummins, Dr. Philip Jose from Mahindra Last Mile Mobility, Bhupesh Tekade and Armelle Guerin from Renault Nissan Technology & Business Center India, Hariharan Lakshminarayanan from Stellantis, Dr.Manaswini Rath from KPIT, Gerd Winkler from Vitesco Technologies and many more. The group participated in engaging panel discussions and technical sessions across various topics, such as “The Transformative Journey of Software-Defined Vehicles with Model-Based Design” and “Celebrating Women in Automotive.”

Sunil Motwani, Country Head of MathWorks India, said, “We are delighted by the resounding success of the MathWorks Automotive Conference 2023 in Chennai and Pune. The event highlighted the influential role of the Software-Defined Vehicle in the automotive industry and enabled MathWorks to showcase how MATLAB® and Simulink® can help automotive engineers drive innovation within the industry. “

SIDBI–Inauguration ofBranchOffice atCoimbatore

October 04, 2023: Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Government of India, inaugurated a new branch of Small Industries Development Bank of India located at Avinashi Road,Coimbatore, which is close to industrial estates like Kurichi,Mopperipalayam, Kallapalayam, and industrially developedareas like Arasur and Sulur, to cater to the MSME’s growingfinancial requirements. Smt.Vanati Srinivasan, MLA,Coimbatore South, Shri Vivek Joshi, IAS, Secretary,Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Shri Sivasubramanian Ramann, IA&AS CMD, SIDBI and Shri Sudatta Mandal, Deputy Managing Director, SIDBI, graced the occasion.

In her opening remarks, Hon’ble Finance Minister mentionedthat MSMEs are a vital part of the Indian economy and have made significant contributions to the country’s socio-economic growth. MSMEs make a crucial contribution to India’s GDP, are the second-largest employment provider, and have significant contribution on the overall exports of thecountry. Considering this, she reiterated that the need forproviding ‘timely and adequate credit’ to MSMEs bybanks/FIs.

She mentioned that the issues like delayed payment, collateral, etc. needs to be addressed in a more holistic mannerso that the MSMEs being the backbone of the country arebenefitted.

She mentioned that SIDBI has been set up as the PrincipalFinancial Institution for Promotion, Financing and Development of MSMEs in the country. SIDBI has been playing a catalytic role in creating vibrancy in the MSME ecosystem and has carved a very crucial role for itself in India’s industrial economy.

She mentioned that SIDBI was pre-dominantly doing indirectfinance as mandated and, it reached out to the MSMEs through Banks, NBFCs, MFI etc. and have now felt that the financial needs of MSMEs are dynamic and need to be met in a timely and cost effective manner. With this background, SIDBI started the direct finance which is around 10% of total credit to MSMEs. However, the 10% of the credit has its relevance and needs to be increased to 20% and further. She further informed that, today, SIDBI is fully digitized and caterto the varied needs of the MSME with its innovative products.

SIDBI is now expanding and opening branches in industrial clusters and has more than 90 branches and expected to cross over 100 shortly. Hon’ble Finance Minister further mentioned that there are more than 400 plus clusters in India andexpressed hope that SIDBI which already has cluster presencewould widen its reach in the days to come.

SIDBI has been at the forefront of providing innovative solutions to the issues faced by/requirements of MSMEs. It has created a green and digital credit delivery system for extending credit promptly to MSMEs at competitive terms and has also set up TReDS exchange platform in joint venture with NSE for addressing the issue of late receivables.

The digital journey like account aggregator has also played amajor role in augmenting the credit flow to MSME. Thebudget proposed an amendment to the Income Tax Act. Itensures that the buyers can

claim deduction in income tax only on payments made to aMSME supplier. In short, a company can’t

claim the expense under the act until the payment has actuallybeen made to the seller.

Shri Sivasubramanian Ramann, CMD, SIDBI mentioned thatSIDBI has fully digitized its lending processes, which enablesextending financial assistance in 48 hours. SIDBI has recentlylaunched a fully automated Straight Through Process to sanction loans up to Rs. 100 lakh online within a couple ofhours.

CMD, informed that SIDBI has been involved in introducing policies for providing timely financial assistance and liquidity to MSMEs. Towards this, SIDBI has launched a new invoice platform, viz. GST Sahay, which will reduce the problem ofdelayed payments and consequential cash flows mismatchesfor the MSMEs. The GST Sahay will be an invoice-financing marketplace where MSMEs can use their unpaid purchase andsale invoices to get quick working capital loans.

He emphasized on the need to switchover from fossil fuel to renewable energy like solar, wind etc., with a view to becomemore sustainable and remain competitive and be part of thenational commitment on energy independence and carbon neutrality. He mentioned that SIDBI is committed toincreasing finance flow towards green asset creation.

SIDBI Coimbatore South Branch Office has taken necessarysteps for securing Green Interior Certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). The branch will continue to work closely with MSMEs, Associations and all the stakeholders to provide focused financial support to MSMEslocated in Coimbatore and nearby areas. Besides financial assistance, SIDBI is dedicated to extending development support to entrepreneurs in their growth journey.

Business tourist flow from India to Moscow is one of the mostnumerous – Evgeny Kozlov

Chennai, Oct. 2023
The Moscow City Tourism Committee revealed that Indian businessmen are paying
ever growing attention to Russia and its capital, as over the last 2 years the MICE
tourist flow from India has grown to become one of the most numerous groups
among all foreign business tourists outside the CIS countries.
Business + Leisure Travel and MICE 2023 opened on 29 th of September at New
Delhi with a keynote speech from the Chairman of The Moscow City Tourism
Committee, Mr. Evgeny Kozlov. In his speech, the Chairman spoke about the
potential for MICE and business tourism in Moscow and the growing number of
Indian businessmen who are choosing Moscow as their preferred destination for
business events.
Mr. Evgeny Kozlov highlighted that the number of business tourists is expected to
grow in the coming years. One of the factors supporting the growth of interest from
Indian businessmen was the launch of electronic visa program. From August 1,
2023, it has become easier for Indian citizens to organize a trip to Moscow – they can
come simply by applying for an electronic visa. The validity period of an e-visa is 60
days from the date of its issuance. You can stay with it in Russia for 16 days. An e-
visa has several advantages over a traditional visa. To obtain it, you do not need to
go to consulates or embassies, and the only documents required are a digital
photograph of your face and a scan of the page with your passport data.
“Before the pandemic, the tourist flow from India grew by 12-15 percent annually.
Now we are on the road to recovery – all the conditions have been created for this.
Every year hundreds of international exhibitions, forums, congresses and
conferences are held in Moscow. Over the past year, about 3.5 million people visited
the capital for business purposes and a significant share of them are from India” – he
said.
Evgeny Kozlov emphasized that Moscow is a growing hub for international business
events and Indian businessmen could benefit from attending these events to expand
their network and explore potential business opportunities. The Moscow MICE
Ambassadors program, which also premiered at the exhibition, aims to promote
Moscow as a preferred destination for business tourism, and Indian businessmen
who have completed the program can serve as valuable resources for organizing
conferences and events in Moscow. Furthermore, Moscow offers a range of world-
class facilities and services for business travelers, including conference centers,
hotels, transportation, and sightseeing. He also mentioned that Moscow’s rich
cultural heritage and vibrant nightlife could provide Indian businessmen with unique
experiences that could enhance their overall business trip.
In conclusion, Mr. Evgeny Kozlov expressed his optimism for the future of MICE and
business tourism in Moscow. Thus, in October 2023, Moscow will host the largest
MICE Congress in Russia. Among the participants are 14 countries, including

Indians. The event will provide a platform for businesses in the travel and tourism
industry to showcase their products and services.
Moscow City Tourism Committee is the executive body of the Moscow City
Government that oversees tourist activities in the capital. The Committee is
responsible for legislative initiatives, congress and exhibition activities, and event
and image projects. As the brand manager for an attractive tourism image for
Moscow, Mostourism constantly analyses global trends, offers Russian and foreign
tourists what they want, and also uncovers new opportunities for the capital in terms
of interesting and rewarding leisure activities.
For more details, please visit: https://www.mos.ru/tourism

Suguna Foods Honors Channel partners with a trip to Bali (Indonesia)


Chennai, September 28, 2023: Suguna Foods, a prominent leader in the poultry and
livestock nutrition industry, celebrated the outstanding dedication and exceptional
contributions of its valued channel partners with an all-inclusive international trip to the
enchanting island of Bali, Indonesia. The awards night witnessed participation from 98
dealers and served as a platform to recognize and honor their exceptional achievements.
Over the past year, Suguna Foods’ channel partners have demonstrated remarkable
commitment and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Their unwavering dedication has
resulted in the exceeding of sales targets, fostering brand loyalty, and strengthening Suguna
Foods’ position as a leader in the industry.

Suguna Foods spokesperson emphasized, “Our esteemed channel partners are the
cornerstone of our accomplishments, and we wholeheartedly value their unwavering
confidence and resolute commitment to our brand over the past year. Despite the challenges
in the retail sector, we have not only persevered but also reached remarkable milestones. “

VGN Launches VGN Classique, Ambattur’s Only Large-Scale ProjectOffering Residential Plots 


● Spans an expansive 10.50 acres of land with a total of 252 premium
residential plots
● First in the state to come up with the provision for Piped Natural Gas (PNG)
Chennai, 28 Sep. 2023
VGN, a pioneer in real estate business and a leading builder in Chennai, has
launched VGN Classique, the only large-scale residential plot layout in Ambattur,
spanning an expansive 10.50 acres of land and featuring a total of 252 premium
residential plots. These plots vary in size, from 753 to 1845 sq.ft., catering to diverse
housing needs, such as luxury homes and villas. The plots are available at prices
starting from Rs. 67 lakhs, going up to Rs. 1.66 crore.
Situated in close proximity to the telephone exchange building in Ambattur, this
project marks a significant milestone as the first development in the area to come up
with Piped Natural Gas provision. VGN Classique boasts an extensive array of 20+
world-class communal facilities, including a meticulously landscaped park, a
sophisticated storm water drainage system for efficient rainwater management,
hassle-free sewage collection, underground power and data cable infrastructure.
This project follows a gated community model, ensuring round-the-clock security
through CCTV surveillance.
Commenting about the launch of VGN Classique, Mr. V.N. Devados, Chairman and
Managing Director, VGN Homes Pvt. Ltd. said, “We are in the industry for over
eight decades and have earned the trust of the people. In Ambattur alone, we have
developed over 60 acres since 2004. However, VGN Classique will be one of our
prestigious projects. It is designed and developed to perfection. It has so many firsts
to its credit.” 
Mr. Devados also announced that his company is coming up with 10 residential plots
and villa projects across various locations in Chennai. “The company’s years of
experience in the industry coupled with a deep commitment to understanding
customer needs have been instrumental in charting a distinctive course towards
creating top-notch projects that enhance people’s quality of life,” he said.