Strengthen employment intensive growth

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

The food and beverage sector in the country has responded positively to the policy interventions through Agricultural Policy Reforms of post 1990.

The Government needs to continue with these policy measures to ensure continuity of employment intensive growth in F and B sector. Colombo University Graduates Studies Faculty Dean Professor Sunil Chandrasiri said that interventions on industrial safety and health are needed to enhance quality of employment particularly in food and beverage sector.

He was making a presentation on “Promoting employment intensive growth in Sri Lanka” at Hotel Intercontinental last week.

He said that the F and B sector has been receiving considerable attention and identified as a thrust sector and provided with technology and training inputs.

As a result, some of the leading manufacturers in the F and B sector are well established both in domestic and foreign markets.

The bi-lateral and multi- lateral trade agreements have also helped these firms to overcome tariff barriers in foreign markets.

Prof Chandrasiri recommends that the Government should further strengthen employment intensive growth of the sector by carrying out interventions such as increasing access to foreign markets through various trade agreements such as SAFTA,ILBFTA and trade negotiations.

Maintaining quality standards of F and B products to meet quality standards set by foreign buyers is also important.

Investing in technology and skill development promoting awareness of the importance of occupational health and safety issues on the part of employees and employers is another intervention he recommends.

Encouraging production of fruits, vegetables and fisheries sub-sectors, and re-plantation with vegetatively propagated plants cultivation, maintaining the image of Ceylon Tea by way of ensuring good quality and brand marketing are other recommendations.