Date:03/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/03/03/stories/2006030302350500.htm

Back Budget thrust for packaging sector

Dharini Nagarajan

New Delhi, March 2

The packaging industry in the food processing sector will receive a fillip following the Budget proposal regarding the cut in Customs duty on packaging machines. The sector has welcomed the move to reduce duty from 15 per cent to 5 per cent on machines, which Mr Chidambaram said would serve "a wide variety of industries, including food processing." Terming the Budget as "progressive", Mr Drummond Rimmer, Business Development Director, Tetra Pak India, said the provisions made for the machines would lead to a wider choice and variety for consumers. So, would Real or Tropicana juices (that use Tetra Pak packaging) be any cheaper? "I don't think there would be any change in prices in the immediate time frame," he said.