- The FPTA 65th AGM will chart a roadmap for a growing and sustainable paper trade, bringing together more than 1,000 delegates at Novotel HICC in Hyderabad from October 3 to 5.
Hyderabad, 28th September 2026: The Federation of Paper Traders’ Association (FPTA), the apex national body representing paper traders and bridging the gap between manufacturers and consumers, will hold its 65th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Hyderabad from October 3 to 5, 2026, at Novotel HICC. The event is being organised in collaboration with the Telangana Paper Merchants’ Association (TPMA).
The announcement was made at a press conference held today by Abhishek Vijaywargiya, President, TPMA; Ashish Jain Bhansali, Secretary, TPMA; Prasad RG, Chairman, Reception Committee, FPTA 65th AGM; Vinay Baldwa, Chairman, Media & Publicity, FPTA 65th AGM; and T. Kishan Singh, President Nominee, FPTA.
The three-day event will be inaugurated on October 3rd by Shiv Pratap Shukla, Governor of Telangana, with Rajesh Ponnuru, CEO, ITC Ltd. (PSPD), attending as Chief Guest. Pawan Agarwal, President, IPMA & CMD, Naini Papers Ltd.; Sri A.S. Mehta, President & Director, JK Paper Ltd.; and Sushil Kumar Khetan, CEO & Whole Time Director, Emami Paper Mills Ltd., will be the Guests of Honour. The meeting will be presided over by Rajesh Jain, President, FPTA.
More than 1,000 paper traders from across India are expected to participate in the AGM. The prestigious event returns to Hyderabad after 19 years and has added significance for the city as Sri T. Kishan Singh, Managing Director, Tirumala Balaji Paper Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, is set to take over as Nominee President of FPTA.
Speaking on the occasion Mr Abhishek Vijaywargiya, President, Telangana Paper Merchants’ Association; said, More than 1,000 delegates from across India, including manufacturers, industry leaders, and policymakers, will participate in the landmark FPTA 65th Annual General Meeting. The Indian paper industry is a vital pillar of the economy. Today, it produces over 24 million tonnes of paper annually, contributes more than ₹1 lakh crore to the economy, provides direct employment to about 5 lakh people, and supports around 15 lakh people indirectly. Despite India’s economic growth, the country’s per capita paper consumption is just about 16 kg, compared to the global average of 57 kg, highlighting tremendous potential for future expansion. The conference will serve as a national platform to discuss industry growth, sustainability, technological advancements, taxation issues, and emerging opportunities for the paper trade and manufacturing sectors.
Mr Prasad RG, Chairman, Reception Committee, FPTA 65th AGM said, we have been gearing up to welcome delegates from across India, from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. A unique feature of this AGM is the participation of leading paper mills, including ITC Bhadrachalam and JK Paper. The event also brings together paper traders and manufacturers through the Federation of Paper Traders’ Associations and the Indian Paper Manufacturers Association to collectively address industry and trade challenges. There is a common misconception that paper is made by cutting trees from forests. In reality, paper mills develop their own plantations across the country, providing employment to farmers, supplying saplings and procuring the grown material for paper production. No forest produce is used. The industry also strongly promotes paper recycling. About 78% of the paper we use is recycled, helping prevent waste and conserve natural resources. Recycled paper can be used for high-quality, including multi-colour, printing. Paper is recyclable and, when responsibly produced and recycled, need not be seen as damaging to nature.
Mr T. Kishan Singh, President Nominee, Fpta; said, We as paper traders stand between paper mills and consumers, supplying paper to publishers, notebook manufacturers, printers, converters and various other industries. The need of the hour is the vital role of paper traders. We are not merely resellers; we are an important link in the paper supply chain and contribute to the economy. We seek the government’s recognition and support, particularly in addressing the shortage of suitable warehouse space. Even in Hyderabad, finding locations to store paper and efficiently supply it to different industries is a major challenge. Our vision is clear, paper deserves recognition. It is not just another commodity, it is part of our lives, our economy and nation-building. Our message is simple, Support paper, Use paper, Love paper.
Mr Ashish Jain Bhansali, Hon. Secretary, TPMA; said, A major highlight of the conference will be on October 4, when former Telangana Paper Merchants Association President Shri T. Kishan Singh takes charge as National President of FPTA. His elevation is a moment of immense pride for TPMA and the entire paper trade fraternity in Telangana. Through this AGM, we also seek to highlight that paper is not merely a commodity but an essential part of daily life, from education, textbooks and notebooks to printing, publishing, offices, packaging and government operations. Despite increasing digitisation, paper remains indispensable across sectors. We therefore appeal to the Central Government to reduce the GST on paper and paper products from the current 18% to 5% under the proposed GST reforms. This will ease the burden on manufacturers, traders and consumers and benefit the entire value chain, including students, schools, publishers, printers, packaging industries and the common consumer. Reducing GST on paper is not just a benefit to the paper trade—it is a benefit to the entire economy and society.
Mr Arvind Sharma, Past President, FPTA; On February 16, 1959, inspired by Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri ji, the Federation of Paper Traders’ Association, was formed as an all-India body to give paper traders a collective voice. Until then, paper traders had little representation at the national level. The Telangana Paper Merchants Association has a proud legacy. We have hosted three FPTA AGMs in 1975, 1989 and 2007 and are privileged to host the fourth today. Paper traders serve as the vital link between producers and consumers. We understand market demand and consumer needs and communicate them to paper mills, helping producers respond to a changing market. Therefore, strong associations and organised bodies like FPTA, have a crucial role in driving change, representing the trade and shaping the industry’s future.
The AGM will bring together paper traders, manufacturers, industry leaders and experts for technical seminars and discussions on the latest developments, emerging opportunities and challenges facing the paper trade. Deliberations will focus on price volatility, rising imports, working-capital constraints, taxation issues and measures to increase paper consumption. The conference will also feature addresses by industry experts and motivational sessions, including an address by Sri Gour Gopal Das.
