Food Sector leads MSMEs!

Sri Lanka’s first pro food lab coming

• ‘IDB’s specialised lab to do tests at low cost’-Rishad
• Says 40%+ Lankan MSMEs are in pro-food sector
• ‘All leading food tests at this lab!’-Rishad
• Pro Food Pro Pack Ag Biz fair coming in August

In a new turn for Sri Lanka’s processed food sector, the first ever specialised Lankan scientific laboratory to test food products is to be unveiled this year. The new lab is expected to perform more than 500 food tests a month, as announced in Colombo on 19 January-and more than 40% of Lankan MSMEs are involved in the food sector!

“Today I am pleased to say that Sri Lanka’s first laboratory for processed food testing is now being prepared by the Industrial Development Board (IDB) under my Ministry. We are looking to schedule the launch of the new lab this year and it can perform many well-known processed food tests” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen on 19 January.

Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the launch event of “Pro Food-Pro Pack-Ag Biz” exhibition that will be held at BMICH from August 12th to 14th. One of the largest food, beverages, packaging and agri-business fairs in South Asia, this year’s event will pack prospective agents and manufacturers from Sri Lanka and abroad along with Sri Lanka’s leading food, packaging and agri machinery suppliers, including MSMEs in attendance. The comprehensive event is expected to be a one stop shop for business, trade and also a networking platform for these sectors. Delegations from China, India, Germany, Thailand, Malaysia, and Pakistan have already confirmed their participation. During the 19 January launch event, Minister Bathiudeen handed over several awards for last year’s winning exhibitors and innovators. Some of the innovators were from young R&D personnel of Lankan Universities.

“Since the launch of this series in 2001, there has been much progress in the processed food sector by way of improvements in technology packaging product development and marketing. It is also good to note that the local and overseas participation have been significantly improving and growing. I am pleased to say that my Ministry has been actively promoting the food and packaging sector. One reason is that there is a great number of micro and SME enterprises (MSMEs) active in this industry. In fact, we believe that more than 40% of our MSMEs are in food processing sector. This sector is therefore highly significant in our planning. In fact from 2009 my Ministry has been actively involved in financing the regional MSMEs in this exhibition for their own pavilion. This year’s event has a special pavilion for MSMEs. We understand that innovation, research & development are vital in the development of this sector. It is also important to introduce latest global food trends such as NUTRACEUTICALS to our sector-this is a major food trend. Therefore, there will be R&D organisations such as Universities of Wayamba Sabragamuwa Peradeniya and Sri Jayawardenepura as well as ITI Institute of Post-Harvest Technology joining this August’s exhibition. This series is only one of the initiatives by my Ministry to help the processed food and packaging sector. There are several other major initiatives to develop the food and packaging sector by us as well” ” said Minister Bathiudeen and added: “Today I am pleased to say that Sri Lanka’s first laboratory for processed food testing is now being prepared by the Industrial Development Board (IDB) under my Ministry. We are looking to schedule the launch of the lab this year and the new lab can perform many well-known processed food tests such as Microbiology, shelf life and “salmonella”. These tests are also important to obtain SLS certifications for processed foods going to the stores. This lab is expected to perform at least 500 processed food tests per month. What is more important is that the services of this lab are made available at very low costs. Another initiative is the assistance scheme called Food Quality Certification Program. This was established to support food and packaging industry firms to receive such international certifications as ISO 22000 HACCP and GMP. With IDB we are also currently conducting a pilot project to upgrade Sri Lankan SME Food Processors to enhance their food manufacturing technology and international standards. This pilot project for MSME food industry is part of our bigger plan to link them to our exports. My Ministry is also preparing loan facilities to our food processing sector. Loans are available upto Rs 7.5 million at 8% interest for machinery upgrade through our SMILE III project. If their application is accepted they can receive the loan within one month of their application. With many such new initiatives I am of the belief that there are great prospects for food sector in future.”

The Pro Food-Pro Pack Ag Biz fair is three exhibitions in one. The series of exhibitions were first formulated and initiated by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) in 2006 as “Pro Food Pro Pack”. This year’s event too, is endorsed and supported by MIC.