Planters' Association upbeat on newly formed International Tea
Producer's Forum
The Planters' Association of Ceylon, in a press statement said it
congratulated Minister of Plantation Industries, Mahinda Samarasinghe
for his initiative and effort in pursuing the formation of the first
ever International Tea Producer's Forum (ITPF). With an
intergovernmental membership of seven of the world's largest tea
producing countries including India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda,
Sri Lanka and China as an observer, ITPF will serve as a powerful new
channel to tackle the challenges facing the global tea sector, through
international cooperation. The Secretariat will initially be based in
Sri Lanka at the Sri Lanka Tea Board premises.
Chairman of the Planters' Association of Ceylon, which represents the
interests of 23 Regional Plantation Companies, Lalith Obeyesekere said
this was a landmark occasion. Sri Lanka particularly looks to the forum
to provide long term sustainability to the tea industry in maintaining
price stability and quality standards, among the other objectives set
out in the mandate.
Obeyesekere went on to add, "ITPF will enrich tea producing nations
to promote sustainable expansion by engaging market-based principles. We
look forward to practical contribution to the world tea economy for the
betterment of all producers." He thanked Minister Samarasinghe for being
the prime mover in setting up the ITPF. In addition to promoting the
collective interests of tea producer countries, the forum will
deliberate on common problems affecting producers, provide technical
co-operation and share technology and expertise, promote the
popularizing and positioning of tea as the most preferred beverage to
increase consumption and to undertake market studies, research, surveys
to assess consumer preference and disseminate such information to the
benefit of all member countries.
Minister Samarasinghe, commenting on the new forum said that the
absence of a specific global body to deliberate on matters significantly
important to the global tea industry resulted in substantial setbacks in
the sector. Although realized by many and with efforts made as far back
as 1993, it wasn't until this week and with Sri Lanka being the current
chair of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)/ Inter Governmental
Group (IGG) that the formation of the ITPF became a reality. In Sri
Lanka over 2 million people derive their livelihood from the commodity
with the country currently producing 8% of the global tea production and
contributing 17% to global tea exports. The Planters' Association said
they were confident that Sri Lanka could use the ITPF to re-look at the
industry in order that local tea producers realize their full potential. |