Financial assistance to improve the quality of food processing industries

The Ministry of Industries and Commerce iis providing financial assistance to improve the quality of food processing industries in the country and as a first step it has initiated a pilot project to select the entrepreneurs deserving such assistance in the Western Province. 

At a ceremony held recently at the Auditorium of the Industries and Commerce Ministry, Minister Rishad Bathiudeen awarded financial grants to a group of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs under the ‘Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Sector Development Program’ project initiated by the Ministry. 

The Ministry has selected 50 entrepreneurs involved in food processing industries and another 50 entrepreneurs from packaging industry across the country based on their performance in 2016. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Bathiudeen underscored the importance of quality in food and also noted the role played by the packaging industries. 

“Unlike in the past, the world pays much attention today to food production. It is important to ensure quality of food. Priority has to be given and high standards have to be maintained. We are pleased to note that your performance under the year of observation of the ministry has been laudable and we want to see that you maintain the standard, read the signs of the times as you move in the fields you have selected and keep improving.”

He said the entrepreneurs involved in the packaging industry would also be given financial assistance to improve the quality of work and add the needed technology knowhow to both sectors to enhance their knowledge. 

“The Ministry is also very concerned and cares about the environment consciousness of the industrialists and entrepreneurs, when taking steps to introduce new industries in each electorate. We provide new knowledge and financial assistance where necessary and also assist the entrepreneurs to market their goods,” the Minister said. 

A statement issued by the Industrial Development Board of Ceylon (IDB) which collaborates itself with the pilot project initiated by the Ministry, said, according to the Economic Development Plan of the Government Vision 2025, the Government will implement a comprehensive economic strategy. 

The Government will take steps to integrate SMEs into the formal sector under the section of ‘Strengthening the Growth Framework’ of the aforesaid Economic Development Plan. 

According to the SME policy framework, the Ministry will pay attention to the development of the SME sector in the country. 

“Out of the six major core areas in the policy framework, modern appropriate technology and research and development are important for SMEs development of the product quality. Some of the key strategies mentioned in the above SME policy framework are to focus: research on product quality improvement, preservation techniques to extend the expiry period of products, institutionalise quality assurance and standard certification system for SMEs, provision of laboratory and testing facilities for quality assurance and to access international market. Then again, food industry is one of the emerging industries in Sri Lanka and the demand for food safety concept is being developed day by day,” the statement issued by the IDB said. 

The needed money has been allocated by the 2017 Budget to grant financial assistance to uplift small-scale food industries in the country, which program is based on the successful experience gained from the pilot project conducted last year in the Western Province. 

The overall objective of this program is to improve the productivity in small scale food industries in Sri Lanka. Further key objectives are to develop food safety, to increase the production and to improve the quality of the food products. This project has been implemented throughout the island by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce with the collaboration of the Industrial Development Board of Ceylon, the statement added.