I am sure that much to the relief of all of those whom were involved in the organisation of this year's event IFEAT 2005 is now over.  Although it might have been my first visit to one of these (unless one evening in Hong Kong several years ago counts) I can honestly say I don't know how it could have been more successful.

More delegates attended IFEAT this year than have done so in many years, which is quite remarkable given the lengthy journeys many people made in order to get there.  So whilst some might have looked at their travel itineraries with a little apprehension, the rewards for making that journey both for business and pleasure were huge.

After all, there are not too many places where you have the opportunity to meet so many people all involved in your industry; from small privately owned manufacturing outfits to numerous multi-nationals, all were present and well-represented.

The tours around the three oleoresin plants were extremely useful and changed many people's perception about India.  However India is a country of extremes and this was aptly demonstrated in many of the lectures, particularly in the context of the farming of Lemongrass, which is largely devoid of any mechanisation and is still relies upon a great deal of manual labour.  If any further proof were needed of the gulf that still exists in this emerging economy, a trip to Fort Cochin would provide all the proof you needed.  Here in this quiet area of the city where vast colonial houses still occupied by upper-caste locals were surrounded by local street-hawkers and tumbledown buildings the chasm is only too apparent.

Yet this difference is what makes India so enjoyable to me.  Of course there is a pleasure in visiting familiar surroundings, but Cochin offered experiences that none of us will forget and many will still be recounting years later on, even if it is just their journey to and from the airport!

In a world that is changing beyond so many people's recognition, the ability to adapt and survive in environments that do necessarily conform to our own is vital; whilst these are not new skills, many people seem to have forgotten just how to do so.  Of course the benefits for those that face up and overcome the challenges are enormous.  Both India and China are the up-coming economic giants of this century and a company's success is already being measured by its involvement with these markets.

As a final note, there is not an awful lot more we could have asked for from this event.  The conference was a huge success and the knowledge gained from a visit to a new country of enormous benefit.  Next year in Cape Town looks like it will be just as well attended and I'm quite sure as thoroughly enjoyable and educational.