The Sri Lankan confectionery industry has recorded a satisfactory expansion with a 10 percent annual growth showing signs of being a dominant industry. It is capable of generating much foreign income to the country while reducing the unemployment rate considerably.
The confectionery industry comprises chocolates, biscuits, cakes, sweets, toffees and others.
Ceylon Biscuits plans to set up a biscuit manufacturing plant in the Seethawaka area and it is expected to be operational by mid 2011 generating over 1,000 job opportunities for the youth in the country.
Ceylon Biscuits Limited Group Director and Marketing and Sales Head Nandana Wickramage said new opportunities are opening for local confectionery manufactures in the face of escalating tourist arrivals to the country.
“The high cost of raw materials has been identified as a major stumbling block that hampers the growth in the industry. In addition to that, there is stiff competition in the confectionery industry in the country with the invasion of huge confectionery products from leading multinational companies to the local market.
“However, Sri Lankan consumers are very quality conscious when they purchase confectionery products from the market,” Wickramage said.
source
www.dailynews.lk
