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Nina Varghese

Chennai , May 29

RITZBURY India Pvt Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ceylon Biscuits Ltd, plans to launch its chocolate-coated biscuit range in the Indian market in December, according to Mr Ahamado Refai, Managing Director, Ritzbury India Pvt Ltd.

The company plans to import the chocolate-coated biscuits from Sri Lanka and market them here.

Mr Refai said that the company is in the process of developing the product for the Indian market, as only cocoa butter can be used here. Cocoa butter is more expensive than the cocoa butter substitute, which is used in other Asian markets, he said.

The company started manufacturing biscuits, branded "Munchee'', at its plant in the SIDCO Industrial Estate, Maraimalai Nagar, near Chennai, in 1999. The factory, which has a capacity of 350 tonnes per month, at present produces 50 tonnes to 60 tonnes of biscuits. The latest product that the company has rolled out is the `puff' biscuit.

The company is revamping its distribution network and plans to enter into an agreement with a Delhi-based company. The company is able to distribute its products only in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The parent company, Ceylon Biscuits Ltd, has opened an outlet at the Sri Lankan Trade Centre in Spencer Plaza and retails biscuits and chocolates, which are imported from Sri Lanka. The prices range from Rs 15 to Rs 595 per pack and the average sale of biscuits is about Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000, Mr Refai said. The sales have been taking place without advertising but just by word-of-mouth. A large number of customers are from the districts for whom, a visit to Spencer Plaza has become a part of the city's sightseeing.

Ritzbury India Pvt Ltd set up the factory in Chennai in1999 with an initial investment of Rs 3.5 crore and has over a period invested Rs 3.6 crore in the project.

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