Olam International senior vice-president Raj Vardhan will be
guest speaker at an agribusiness conference in Queenstown
next month.
Registrations are still being accepted for the symposium,
from March 19 to 22, which is being hosted by Dunedin-based
agribusiness consulting and new ventures company AbacusBio
Ltd.
AbacusBio partner Dr Anna Campbell described confirmation of
Mr Vardhan's attendance as ''massive'', saying his practical,
hands-on experience in emerging markets was
''extraordinary''.
Olam International is a global integrated supply chain
manager and processor of agricultural products and food
ingredients, supplying products in 65 countries.
The company boasts more than 18,000 employees and its
businesses included cocoa, coffee, cashew, sesame, rice,
cotton and wood products. It has turnover of more than $US13
billion ($NZ15.6 billion).
Under Mr Vardhan's leadership, the company's China operations
have grown to turnover of $US250 million within three years
of incorporation.
A case study discussion about Olam International will precede
Mr Vardhan's address. Ten case studies have been selected for
discussion, all relevant to Australasian agribusiness.
The symposium will be led by Mary Shelman, director of
Harvard Business School's agribusiness programme, and Prof
Damien McLoughlin, professor of marketing and associate dean
at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, in Ireland.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.