Editor,

This is in reference to the letter, "Is RBS too lax on standards?” (The New Times, February 3).

At the outset, it would be in order to clarify that Arjun Beeswax Industries (Rwanda) Limited, the Indian agro-processor who is entering the Rwandan market within the next four weeks, will actually utilize the "waste” product after the extraction of honey and convert it into beeswax which will be effectively used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

It is not just water which the agro-processing firm will use in Rwanda as some stated in the comments. Rather, they will first set up a manufacturing facility in close proximity to where the bee hives exist presently. Then, they will make use of the waste available after the extraction of honey to trigger their manufacturing process, which will also gainfully employ local Rwandans and impart to them the required technology.

Rwanda presently does not have any pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, so the products generated by this company will then be exported out of Rwanda, thus earning valuable foreign exchange for the country.

While it will not be prudent to dwell on the agro -processing investor who apparently sells a finished product of apple powder, without a complete background of the same, it is my firm belief that Arjun Beeswax Industries should not be branded as a company coming to dump unhealthy products, calling it agro-processing.

On the contrary, we should commend their initiative and support them with the necessary incentives in accordance with the guidelines and policies which have been laid down by the concerned authorities.

Clarence Fernandes