With India going digital with a vengeance post the COVID-19 pandemic a first of its kind virtual tea conclave is on the anvil.
To be organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) from September 1 to November 30, the virtual tea conclave will have digital conferences, exhibitions of different varieties of tea and products related to the tea industry and will have buyer-seller meets spread over a period of 90 days.
Bidyananda Barkakoty, Chairman, CII North East Tea Panel, said that CII in the past has organized eight tea conclaves- five in Siliguri and two in Guwahati.
“Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this tea conclave will be a virtual and will have virtual stalls similar to regular exhibitions,” he said.
Barkakoty further said that producers and manufacturers will be able to display their products in the stalls, buyers and tea connoisseurs can visit the stalls.
“During this pandemic, this exclusive virtual platform for tea will open-up the horizon of business linkages, both nationally and internationally,” he said.
“There will be buyers sellers meet, both B2B and B2C,” he added.
“This platform will also be a good opportunity to launch new products as well as for start-ups and innovators,” he further said.
Barkakoty said that the digital conclave will be attended by Central and state government policymakers, Tea Board officials, tea producers, small tea growers, tea buyers and traders, tea brokers, tea wholesalers, tea retailers and tea cafes, tea machinery manufacturers, tea implements manufacturers, any products related to tea, tea research organisations, tea auction organisers, educational institutes, tea associations, tea customers and the general public, banks and financial institutions, etc.
“Overseas delegates will also be invited to participate in this tea conclave, “he said.
An organising committee has been formed in this regard to be headed by Bidyananda Barkakoty, Ravi Agarwal and Dinesh Bihani.
The online registration process will start soon. The tagline of this conclave is Chai Piyo Swasth Raho.