Minister Pathirana takes up issues with Regional Plantation Companies

Wednesday, 22 January 2020 02:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Minister of Plantation Industries and Export Agriculture Ramesh Pathirana met with representatives of the Regional Plantation Companies and Planters’ Association recently to discuss several issues being faced by the industry. The meeting was held at the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Export Agriculture on 20 January.

After the welcome address by Minister Ramesh Pathirana, the presentation by the Planters Association took place. The planters and the exporters came out with their observations, grievances, and suggestions.

The tea industry has been undergoing a slump period currently. There were suggestions to improve branding, seeking new markets, going for value addition, and also improving our product quality. The Minister emphasised that the name of the game is quality. Sri Lanka closely adheres to HAACP, ISO and other quality control methods and GMPs are in place to give its teas the No. 1 quality in the world.

The Minister mentioned that a loan scheme is being introduced as a relief package, amounting to around Rs 500 million, for the factory owners, which will be disbursed in the future via People’s Bank. The imports of tea for CTC and tea bags will be closely monitored in future, so that it would not hurt the main orthodox market, the Minister assured. An export zone for blending and packing with imported teas was suggested with regard to CTC teas, since imported teas are used for blending with the local teas.

The Minister spoke of improving productivity not only through capital investments, but also with replanting, new planting, and modernisation of factories. The latest Govt. policy on wages of estate workers was also included. Product diversification and value addition was also mentioned. The Minister assured his 100% support for the planters at the end of the meeting.