2011-06-20 14:00 
SINGAPORE, June 20, 2011
/PRNewswire-Asia/ -- New Zealand and global food trade experts say
recent safety scares underscore the importance of building a global
consensus on tackling future food supplies.
"The recent scares with E. coli and
radiation are just some examples. Consumers are increasingly
conscious about what they are eating and where it is coming from,"
says Tony Egan, Chief Executive Officer of New Zealand food safety
and security organisation, AsureQuality.
With Asia's growing populations and
limited resources, there is a need for increased investment in
cutting-edge science and international collaboration to ensure
current and future generations have safe and secure food
supplies.
"New Zealand companies are global
leaders in producing high quality food products for export across
the world. Innovative and high-tech New Zealand companies have
increasingly proven the ability to be at the top of food safety and
science," says Benny Goodman, Senior Investment Manager, New
Zealand Trade & Enterprise.
The New Zealand and Asia Food and
Beverage Forum brought together some of the best minds in the field
of food sciences and investments. It provided a platform for an
in-depth and interactive discussion on the future hurdles faced by
the food and beverage sector in Asia, and how New Zealand companies
can help overcome these.
"The Asia Pacific region accounts
for more than half of global food production. By working together
and making the best use of technology we could feed the world,"
comments Mark Ward, General Manager of Riddet Institute.
The half-day forum held at the Grand
Copthorne Waterfront Hotel in Singapore was attended by a select
number of fund managers, venture capitalists, regional food
producers and exporters from countries including Indonesia,
Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore looking to invest in New Zealand
technology.
Presenters at the forum:
New Zealand Trade
and Enterprise (NZTE) is the New Zealand government's national
economic development agency. For more information,
visit www.nzte.govt.nz
SOURCE New Zealand Trade and
Enterprise