Booker Tate to Invest $110mn on a Sugar Factory in Moneragala, Sri Lanka

05th January 2011, www.news360.lk

British firm Booker Tate is planning to invest US$ 110 million to establish a sugar factory in Moneragala.

BOI says, an agreement with the company will be signed at the end of this month, once the “Environmental Impact Assessment” is released.

Booker Tate, a subsidiary of Tsb Sugar International, a globally known sugar producer, will be collaborating with IMS Holdings along with an individual party in Sri Lanka to establish the plant.

The facility will be named as “Bibile Sugar” and is expected to employee 400 persons.

The Cabinet has approved the allocation of 200 hectares to build the factory and a sugar cane nursery.

“They will implement an out grower system” added a BOI official, who is closely working on the upcoming deal.

Sri Lanka spends around Rs. 35 billion per annum, to import nearly 90% of the country’s sugar requirement.

As of now Sevenagala and Pelawatta are the only two sugar producing factories in the country.

Meanwhile the Government has brought in the private sector to revive the Kantale Sugar factory and the Hingurana Sugar factory.

Hingurana factory is a private public partnership, which the Government owns a 51% stake.

Sri Lanka Invites Investors for State Owned Sugar, Paper & Ceramic Industries

22nd October 2010, www.lankabusinessonline.com

Sri Lanka's government is seeking private investors to help revive defunct state-owned sugar, paper and ceramic industries, media minister and government spokesman Keheliya Rambukwelle said.

The government wants to revive the Kantalai sugar factory and the Embilipitiya paper mill of the National Paper Company in the east and the Ceylon Ceramics Corporation, he told a news conference.

The Cabinet of minister approved a proposal to revive the industries in private-public partnerships without privatisation to which the government is opposed, he said.

Expressions of interest will be called for from local and foreign investors.