He made this assurance at a news conference held recently at the company’s headquarters in Wellington.

Mr. Collier explained that since the inception of the company in 1961 it has made remarkable progresses from producing local brands such as ‘Star Beer’ to now producing Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, Maltina Non-alcoholic drink, Mutzig and King Leone Beer.

These he said had strengthened the company’s effort to not only satisfy its customers but also to ensure that its products compete with other imported products in the country.

He maintained that the company has the capacity and strength to distribute its brand nationwide, adding that the product is among the leading products in the country.

He revealed further that SLBL has played a formidable role in the social and economic growth of the country. Adding; “Our Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) spans through sport, health care, provision of water and sanitation to communities among others.”

He said over the past three years SLBL together with Heineken Africa Foundation have provided over Le2.5 billions as part of its CSR in health, water and sanitation throughout the country.

In order to give back to local farmers he said, SLBL in 2005 introduced the use of locally grown sorghum as raw material in its production process. This he said has been a huge success to not only the company but to local farmers. The introduction of sorghum in the brewing process , the commercial growing of sorghum has now been well established and thousands of farmers are assured of their livelihood.

Collier disclosed that the demand for sorghum would grow exponentially by the end of the year considering the huge investments already put in place by Brewery to introduce new high quality brands and to use more sorghum.

This he said is embedded in the company’s sustainability programme to do local sourcing with a well-defined vision.

He used the opportunity to thank the government for implementing the 2016 Finance Act which according to him is in their favor as a local manufacturing company.

He stated that the Finance Act did not only encourage local manufacturing industries but was well drafted to generate increased revenue for the government through the National Revenue Authority (NRA).

“This will push and sustain local production and even encourage those who know it is worthwhile to have their investment on the ground to boost the country’s GDP.

The conference was attended by members of the press, civil society organizations, Consumer Protection Agencies, the Ministry of Political and Public Affairs among others. It was climaxed by a conducted tour of the company’s facilities in order for them to assess the level of preparedness of the company.