Business News of Monday, 10 December 2007

Source: GNA

Small-scale industries must be supported-investor

Accra, Dec 10, GNA - Government was on Monday asked to support small-scale industries to help in the rapid economic development of the country. "If government is able to make capital available to such industries, they can help move the economy into greater heights as those of the Asian countries, "Mr Dipti Prasana Mohanty, Country Manager of Unique Star Foods Limited, also known as "Vega Foods" said. At a media encounter in Accra, Mr Mohanty said one of the most challenging factors of entrepreneurs has been financing and "with a little support from the government, they can make it". Mr. Mohanty said Vega Foods, which started operation in 2005 has making great strides in the economy, adding that it would continue to source for better food products to its consumers to make it one of the leading brands in the country. "Our brands should be able to touch the lives of the people," he emphasised.

Vega Foods, which currently operate through three stock points and branch offices in Ghana namely Accra, Kumasi and Tema deals in food products such as edible oils, pastas, dairies, seasonings canned fishes and meats, beverages and bakery products.

According to the Country Manager, the company had finished a feasibility studies on food processing in Ghana taking into consideration the President's Initiative on Cassava, and its was yet to meet with stakeholders of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and the Ministry of Trade to discuss the next action He said the company would also in the next financial year, discuss with authorities of GIMPA possibilities of recruiting its graduate to be trained and employed by the company.