14 January 2023 04:34 am Views - 316
By Nishel Fernando
With the aim to boost foreign exchange earnings from locally produced alcoholic beverages, the Excise Department has granted approval to produce cider and milk punch, with local ingredients, for export markets. Speaking at the 110th anniversary celebrations of the Excise Department held in Rajagriya this Thursday, State
In 2022, the country exported US $ 21 million worth of alcoholic beverages to 35 countries, slightly up from US $ 20 million in export earnings recorded in 2020. In particular, Siyambalapitiya highlighted that locally produced coconut, kithul and palmyrah toddy are becoming popular globally.
To further promote locally manufactured toddies, a leading local corporate has proposed to organise a toddy festival targeting foreign consumers. Further, Siyambalapitiya also opined that suitable import substitutions are needed to curb forex outflows through foreign liquor imports while noting that the country imported over US $ 2 million worth of wine and whisky alone in 2022 despite the economic crisis.
According to Siyambalapitiya, legal alcohol consumption in the country has declined by 20-30 percent in recent months, owing to the economic crisis and high taxation.
However, the Excise Department was able to collect Rs.170 billion in taxes in 2022, closer to the Rs.185 billion target set by the government, which is mainly due to the implementation of a foolproof sticker and labelling system.
For this year, the government has set a daunting Rs.217 billion revenue target for the Excise Department.