In 1996, the Nghe An Tate&Lyle (NAT&L) sugar joint venture project was licensed. After its construction period, NAT&L became operational and enjoyed favourable conditions and support as the People’s Committee of Nghe An and other authorised agencies in the province, as well as local farmers, consider the project an effective poverty reduction way in Phu Quy.
After eight crops, NAT&L has increased its output and quality, having gradually found a foothold in the market. With great efforts by NAT&L and local farmers, the plant has developed a large material supply area, capable of meeting the plant’s demand for materials. The plant is proud to be the N0 1 sugar plant in Vietnam in terms of quality and output and a modern plant in the world.
NAT&L’s success has been highly appreciated in technology transfer and worker training. In the initial period, 70 foreign experts worked at the plant. Now, the number has been reduced to seven. Now, local technicians can operate hi-tech equipment. Apart from high salary, local workers are enjoying a good working environment, where they can develop their ability. NAT&L is making efforts to build a great ‘family’ in which all members are paid with respect and good care.
To maintain its competitiveness in Vietnam, NAT&L has often upgraded its production lines. In 2005, the plant’s capacity increased from 6,000 tonnes to 8,400 tonnes per day. The plant sometimes reached 9,000 tonnes per day in capacity. With the existing capacity, the plant can increase its output to 12,000 tonnes of sugarcanes per day or more. The company has considered a plan to invest in a production line of micro-biological fertiliser from sugarcane mud, which is valued at US$1 million.
Incomes from farming sugarcanes have helped change the living standard of many households for the better, in particular, ethnic minority people in mountainous areas in the west of Nghe An province. Also, the road system in the province has been developed rapidly alongside the development of sugarcane farming. The local authorities and the company have helped local people build road to facilitate the transportation of sugarcanes and communication, thus help local people improve their living standard. NAT&L’s effective contributions to the community can be seen at local schools and charity organisations. Within its programme entitled ‘For the future,’ the company has presented books, notebooks and learning materials for around 8,500 students in Phu Quy when they started to go to school. In addition, the company has presented computers to poor communes.
Peter Nielsen, General director of NAT&L
Vietnamese
