President’s Message
Rinku Appalwar
President, IFIBCA
Dear Members, Partners, and Friends
It is with great pride and humility that I assume the role of President of our IFIBCA. This moment is especially meaningful to me as I have the honour of serving as the first woman President in the history of our organization. I am deeply grateful for the trust and confidence you have placed in me. This responsibility is not mine alone — it is a shared journey that I embark upon with each one of you, as we work together to strengthen the global presence of our industry.
The world of international trade is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Shifts in global supply chains, the rise of digital platforms, sustainability imperatives, and changing customer expectations are reshaping how we conduct business. While these changes bring challenges, they also open doors to new opportunities for growth and innovation.
Our organization stands at the very heart of India’s FIBC industry. In the years ahead, my vision is clear: to empower our members with the latest technologies, broaden our presence in global markets, and strengthen India’s position as a leader in bulk packaging worldwide. To achieve this, we will focus on four key priorities: –
- 1 Expanding Market Access – We will work to open new international markets that help our members showcase their FIBC capabilities to the world. Our focus would be to continue the Japan push and start similar activities in South Korea and China.
- 2. Capacity Building & Knowledge Sharing – Through training programs, seminars, and knowledge exchanges, we will equip our members with the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in an ever-changing global economy. We will focus on areas like AI and sustainability legality (e.g. how do we define and prove that our waste is PCR) that members have raised in previous meetings.
- 3. Policy Advocacy – We will engage proactively with policymakers to ensure that the interests of our exporters are represented and that supportive policies and incentives are put in place. As discussed in the AGM I would like to work on making the Indian FIBC Industry PPWR ready for the incoming EU regulations.
- 4. Industry-wide threats - We will work to identify and discuss industry-wide threats (e.g. increasing labour rates and reducing labour availability) so that members may come up with proactive solutions.
- I also recognize that my election marks a milestone for greater inclusivity and diversity in leadership. I hope that my journey inspires more women to step into leadership roles and bring their voices and ideas to the forefront of our industry. Equally important, I would like to call upon the younger generation to take greater involvement in our industry and assume more responsibility in shaping its future. Their fresh perspectives, technological expertise, and passion for innovation are essential for keeping the FIBC sector globally competitive and sustainable. By engaging more deeply today, they will become the leaders and torchbearers of tomorrow.
