US developing cold storage facilities in India

"One of our main priorities here is the cold chain storage facilities to strengthen food security in India," said USTDA director Leocadia I. Zak, who is a member of the delegation led by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on a three-day visit here.

Zak said the agency was funding 100 priority development projects in the country, including in infrastructure and energy sectors. "We are engaged in many projects here, including energy, infrastructure but cold chain storage remains one of the main priorities," Zak said at an industry event here.

Zak's views were corroborated by Robert D. Hormats, under secretary for economic, energy and agricultural affairs. "Cold storage facilities are very important for strengthening India's food security. Even Prime Minister Singh in his meeting with President Obama emphasised on the importance of such facilities," Hormats said.

Currently, the USTDA provides $31 million to fund various projects in the fields of environment, energy, infrastructure, aviation and information and communication.