Motion to set up National Bakery and Confectionery School

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

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A motion to set up a National Bakery and Confectionery School in Sri Lanka was tabled at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2007/2008 at the Lanka Confectionery Manufacturing Association (LCMA) in Colombo recently.

Chairman, Lanka Confectionery Manufacturing Association(LCMA) Quintas Perera, said the Association had brought this matter to the notice of the Minister of Export Development and Internal Trade.

The National Bakery and Confectionery School would provide vocational training to upgrade the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of those working in bakeries and confectioneries in Sri Lanka.

He said the owners of small time bakeries do not have knowledge in baking practices and depend on bakers to make bakery products. LCMA was confident that the government would provide funding for the project as the LCMA lacks funding for this purpose.

"We have had meetings and discussions with the Director, Agricultural Exports, EDB that represents the Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational and Technical Education. Referring to imported products, he said products that were sold in the market do not display labels in the two official languages that contain information about the products.

According to regulations it was a mandatory requirement to label products in two national languages for the benefit of consumers, he said.

He said imported goods sold in malls and supermarkets in the country do not adhere to this requirement either. Representations have been made to the relevant authorities for contravening this requirement.

Although raw materials such as Gelatine needed a licence for importation, finished products are imported without any of these regulations. "We are trying to draw the attention of the state about the danger of importing such products in the light of the Mad Cow disease spreading rapidly. "

He said obtaining clearance for importation of raw materials such as gelatine products was a hassle due to the delays experienced at the Department of Animal Production and Health, Peradeniya and at the Controller of Imports and Exports.

However, finished products from the Far Eastern countries such as marshmallows, jujubes and even some medicines can contain gelatine infected with the deadly Mad Cow disease.

He cited an instance where a local importer used a bag meant for packing toilet brushes to pack pop corn. Although the Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) are empowered to prosecute such importers they turn a blind eye to these activities.

The Association also raised the issue of 28 per cent duty, being charged in addition to cess duty being imposed on imported raw materials.

They said the duty component applies to only finished products but not to raw materials. However, some imported flavours for sweets and jelly products fall under the 10 per cent duty.

The Lanka Confectionery Association is seeking an appointment with President Mahinda Rajapaksa to rectify thorny issues affecting the industry.

LCMA president Quintas Perera was re-elected Chairman for the second time.