Makwel Holdings partners with Softlogic GLOMARK to reduce and reuse polybags

Makwel Holdings, a start-up and a supplier of raw materials for SMEorganic fertilizer producers in Sri Lanka,has recently ventured into a partnership with Softlogic Supermarkets (Pvt) Ltd, the trendsetter in the modern trade industry in Sri Lanka which is a fully owned subsidiary of Softlogic Holdings PLC.

Speaking with the Sunday Times, Makwel Holdings Business Lead, Zulfi Hassim said the partnership was entered into for a couple of reasons.

Although PP bags are being imported in bulk, a substantial quantity is locally manufactured. Either way both these processes will not exempt the outflow of US dollars for procurement.

“This will have a chain effect on food prices. Farmers will have to bear the additional cost of fertilizer as a result of the packaging cost being embedded into the fertilizerpack, and they will have to increase the cost of their produce. So, in the end it is consumers who will have to pay a higher price for the food on their table,” Mr. Hassim said.

As a solution to this issue SoftlogicGLOMARK has come forward to support this great initiative by contributing their used polysack bags to Makwel Holdings for free, w.e.f15thDecember this year,in the true spirit of reduce and reuse, Mr. Hassim added.

Zulfi Hassim, Business Lead of Makwel Holdings (Pvt) Ltd and Gayan Caldera, Chief Marketing Officer of Softlogic Supermarkets (Pvt) Ltd at the recent signing of the MoU

Since the establishment in the Sri Lankan modern retail trade in 2018, Softlogic GLOMARK now has the presence of 14 outlets in the island. GLOMARK aims to bring an exceptional international supermarket experience through varied combinations of the convenience grocery shopping.Most GLOMARK outlets provide the selection of other departments such as electronics, homeware and furniture provided by Softlogic Max and Asiri pharmacyfor prescribed and over-the-counter pharmaceutical needs.

GLOMARK’s Chief Marketing Officer Gayan Caldera said “By collaborating with Makwel Holdings, GLOMARKfurther expands into enhancing the effectiveness of waste management in the supermarket industry and be responsible towards the community around the organization.Amidst the current challenging times faced by Sri Lankans, it is our responsibility as an organization to discover ways in which the economy can be uplifted in instances of a ripple effect& reinforce local business activities during crucial times.

Moreover, as Mr. Hassim pointed out, reusingPP bags will not only benefit the country’s economy as a whole with reduced imports limiting the outflow of US$but alsopreserve the environment too