Sri Lanka packaging industry becoming public-private success

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen (second from right) hands over the Lanka Star World Star packaging award to Crimson Creative Solutions Director/CEO Taniya Francisa for Crimson’s packaging for Anchor Newdale UHT Pack, at Kingsbury on 23 November joined by other Lankan Packaging Industry members

Sri Lanka’s packaging industry is not only a cross-sectoral activity, but even a trailblazer in the country’s Public Private Partnerships. Meanwhile, the Government is ready to elevate its support levels to the surging industry.

“The packaging institute is one of the success stories of Sri Lanka’s Public Private Partnering at work,” declared Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen on 23 November in Colombo. Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the Lanka Star Packaging Awards event organised by Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging (SLIP) at Kingsbury Hotel on 23 November. Joining the session were Deputy Minister of Public Enterprise Development Eran Wickramaratne and SLIP President Rihan Victoria. During the event, many awards were given to the industry achievers in several categories. Among the winners were packaging students from University of Moratuwa.

“What is important here is that the organiser of the event Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging is one of the success stories of Sri Lanka’s Public Private Partnering at work. The membership of the Institute consists of corporate members, corporate life members, associate members and honorary members. The first two categories are open for public and private organisations. By supporting Sri Lankan users of packaging at industry levels in many types while also receiving membership of two international Packaging Organisations – the Asian Packaging Federation and World Packaging Organisation, this institute has performed commendable service to Sri Lankan economy,” said Minister Bathiudeen.

“That these awards are focused on Innovation, Functionality, Convenience, Graphic appeal, Environmental performance, Overall Impression, along with the fact that great interest by applicants to contest, show the wide-ranging goodwill of this event. Packaging is a sector used by many other economic and manufacturing activities. Realising this, my ministry supports this sector through various initiatives. We assisted the International Packaging exhibition ‘Lanka Pack – 2016’ linking this sector to exports and 150 local industries benefited,” he added.

“The Profood/Propack International Exhibition was held as market promotion for food manufacturing industries and to upgrade local SMEs to the next level as well as direct support to SMEs. We also supported Certificate Course in Packaging Technology to improve knowledge and skill level of technical grade employees in packaging industry for 32 local beneficiaries. 250 SMIs benefitted from the Training of Trainers program on Packaging for Enterprises Promotion Managers. Regional Training Program in Packaging Technology to regional industries conducted by National Enterprises Development Authority was also supported by this Division. “The proposed projects for packaging sector are facilitation of SMI in food sector through packaging development industrial productivity market competitiveness and sustainability Improvement Program. Therefore, today I can inform this industry that my Ministry will continue to support your development efforts and is ready to offer relevant assistance whenever required for the betterment of your sector.” 150 local industries benefited by the Ministry’s Lanka Pack while another 160 – most of them SMEs – benefitted from Profood/Propack International Exhibition by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.