The Hindu : 'Produce quality sugar to face competition'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 22, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

'Produce quality sugar to face competition'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI June 21 . The need for the sugar industry to produce quality sugar in a cost effective manner to face international competition was stressed by speakers at an awareness programme organised by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the South India Sugar Mills Association (SISMA) here yesterday.

Inaugurating the programme, K.M. Sahni, BIS Director-General, said India was one of the largest producers of sugar with a share of 15.34 per cent of global output but its export was negligible (1.21 per cent market share). At present, the industry was facing a crisis with more than 15 million tonnes of surplus on hand. Unless it braced itself for meeting the challenge from other countries, it might be difficult for the industry to survive, he said, according to a release.

Mr. Sahni said the BIS was working on standards to facilitate consumers to have access to satellite TV channels of their choice as part of standardisation of information technology. The standard for tea was only voluntary at present and might be made mandatory.

Palani G. Periaswamy, SISMA vice-president, said the industry was capable of meeting international standards but it needed to improve its marketing capabilities.

Sanwat Ram, Commissioner of Sugar, Tamil Nadu, and R.S. Kannan, Joint Commissioner, spoke.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States