Pralines instead of TV sets - Haj Ararat announces production of cheapest confectioneries at Nis-based plant

The former leader in the electronic industry in Serbia, which used to produce 300,000 TV sets a year, will start producing chocolate bananas and other confectioneries from Haj Ararat's product portfolio in 2011. Namely, the management of Nis has prepared a study on allotment of land for free to companies that want to open production units in this city, and Haj Ararat will use that opportunity to have a factory of confectioneries built in a part of the complex of Electronic Industry (EI) Nis.

Construction of a factory at 2,000 square meters, which will be situated on a lot of 45 ares, will most probably commence during this year, while the projected investment is worth approximately EUR 1.3 million, Haj Ararat owner Raffi Benlian announced for eKapija.

- Construction will commence as soon as all necessary permits and consents are obtained from the government organs. We estimate it will not take longer than 8 months to get the units ready for production. Procurement of equipment has already been agreed on, as well as supply with raw materials, and we intend to hire more than 60 workers over the next two years - Mr. Benlian explained.

Our interlocutor announced that Haj Ararat would offer the market the products that would have the world premiere in Serbia:

- We plan to launch expanded rice with chocolate, new flavors and forms of chocolate bananas, as well as pralines. In addition to the market in Serbia, these products will also be offered to surrounding countries, and we are also considering the export of products to the USA, Canada, and the countries in Western Europe. Prices will be at the level of the cheapest confectioneries in the market - says Mr. Benlian.

Haj Ararat is an investment company that has already successfully implemented two projects in Serbia - Kozmetik Plus Ltd. and reactivation of Kalcini's production units in Vrtiste.