Indian mega food firm in initial $16 mln investment at Mirigama
View(s):A new, multi-million dollar food facility in Sri Lanka by India’s Dabur group will serve as a manufacturing site for India’s signature packed food beverage “Real”.
Launched by Dabur Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of the giant Indian consumer goods manufacturer, Dabur India, the factory was opened last week in Mirigama by Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa.
The facility represents Dabur India’s largest foreign investment to date with an initial investment capital of $16 million going into the plant. The plant has the capacity to produce 2.8 lakh cases of fruit based beverages per month, a large proportion of which will be exported in turn bringing foreign exchange inflows, officials at the site said.
The facility is also likely to dramatically boost employment in the area with several indirect jobs in transportation, waste management and packaging, expected to be created via Dabur Lanka’s manufacturing activities. Approximately 75 new staff will be employed in the new plant, at the start of production in May with plans to gradually raise staffing levels to keep pace with both demand and capacity expansion.
Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Rajapaksa stated “I specially thank Dabur Lanka for their bold decision to house their largest investment in the world in Sri Lanka”. The Minister noted that “the facility is environment friendly and will bring in foreign exchange to Sri Lanka as well as employment and investment”.
He said, “all political leaders and government institutions are behind Dabur and will be backing them fully to see that the factory expands and works well to expand Sri Lanka’s economy”.
Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha, speaking at the event said ” I hope Dabur will go on to become a household name in Sri Lanka as well”. The High Commissioner further noted that “Dabur’s exports to India will help widen Sri Lanka’s export base” and added that “there are plans to commence further expansion in Sri Lanka”.
Dr. Anand Burman Chairman of Dabur India Ltd noted that this was the company’s first project in Sri Lanka and ‘we look forward to working with the government and the people of Sri Lanka’. (SP)
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