The second largest consumer goods company in the world, Unilever, has said it has started to manufacture food seasoning in its plant in Myanmar. This comes at a time when the company is preparing to spend about Eur500 million or US$656 million in the country formerly known as Burma in the next ten years.

Unilever was conducting its business in Myanmar through third party distributors since 2010 and now has created a business plan that would 'go deeper with fewer categories' in the country. This includes manufacturing food ingredients such as savories, seasonings, shampoos and laundry soap. In an interview with Bloomberg Television held in Naypidyaw, Chief Operating Officer Harish Manwani said the company would then build from these basic items as it moves forward.

According to Manwani, "It is a large market, fast growing, young population. The excitement is about growth."

The company would be making food seasoning using its Knorr brand in its plant located in Yangon. From there, the company would expand its labor force to 270 by the end of June and then hire another 200 by 2014.