Accra, March 31, GNA - Olam group company Nutrifoods Ghana Limited has opened its newly expanded $ 8.25 million biscuit production line with the introduction of a new state-of-the-art equipment and technology into the FSSC–accredited facility.
The facility would manufacture high quality biscuits for both the domestic and export markets.
Jointly owned by Olam International with 75 per cent and Sanyo Foods of Japan, the Nutrifoods facility is currently the leading biscuit factory in Ghana.
Speaking at the inauguration, Mr Alan Kyeremanten, the Minister of Trade and Industry, said Olams history of success should be a source of inspiration for Ghanaian entrepreneurs that they could also start in very small way and expand.
He said the private sector played a crucial role in the country’s developmental agenda and government would continue to create the enabling environment for the private sector to succeed.
The Minister said government’s agenda was to create jobs in different sectors of the economy, using industry and agriculture sectors to optimise opportunities for job creation.
It is in this connection that government is embarking on accelerated industrialisation project to improve competitiveness of industry while reviving distressed companies through stimulus packages.
Mr Kyeremanten said the stimulus support would be used to help privately owned business companies to improve competitiveness and stimulate development.
He said it was through industrialisation that government could help diversify the economy away from the reliance on cocoa and oil.
Dr Koh Poh Koon, the Minister of State for Trade and Industry of Singapore congratulated Olam on the inauguration of its new factory and expressed the hope that more Singapore companies could participate actively in Ghana’s growth.
He also noted that Singapore companies were not just investing in the physical infrastructure but also in building human resource capabilities for Ghana’s future, with companies such as Olam sponsoring educational programmes in the country.
Mr V Srivathsan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Africa and Middle East said with the expansion, the Company would enter almost all segments of biscuit production, including sandwich cream biscuits.
He said the expansion would increase employment opportunities offered by the Company by providing an additional 150 jobs and raising the existing workforce to 600 employees, of which 99 per cent were Ghanaians.
Mr Chitwan Singh, Business Head at Nutrifoods Biscuits said: “With this expansion, we have doubled our existing production capacity, developed a new capability to make more varieties of biscuits, enhanced food safety and security through automation of our production line, and increased employment in other areas of operation.”
Mr Amit Agrawal, Country Head of Olam Ghana, said the investment underlined the company’s ongoing commitment to producing high quality goods with local talent, in a supportive operating environment.
He said: “The Ghanaian government has created a conducive environment or investments and businesses to thrive, which augurs well for future investments to flow into the country.”
The expansion has strengthened Nutrifoods’ position as the number biscuit producer in Ghana. It has 30 per cent market share and an unbeatable benchmark in quality producing international standard products for local market tastes.
As part of the commemoration, Olam Ghana will be donating 63,000 packs of fortified Milky Magic Biscuits over the course of the year to the Klagon TMA Basic School.
Over the year, 1,300 students will each enjoy packets a month, as a mid-day meal snack.
The biscuit factory currently manufactures four sub-categories – the digestives, crackers, malt and milk and milk shortcake and has an assorted portfolio including some of the preferred consumer brands - Royal Perk Milk Shortcake, the Royal King Cracker, the Royal Milky Magic and the Royal Digestive.
GNA
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS