The Victorian Government has welcomed the official opening of stage one of the new Kraft Foods Asia Pacific Confectionary Centre of Excellence in Melbourne.

Attending the opening event, Premier Ted Baillieu said the new centre would be a world-class globally competitive research facility.

“The centre is a significant boost for Victorian food manufacturing innovation and will be staffed by the largest food R and D team in Australia, generating more than 100 new jobs and securing 1,000 jobs at Kraft’s Ringwood manufacturing operation,” Mr Baillieu said.

Minister for Manufacturing Richard Dalla-Riva  said this investment would ensure that Victoria was the home of the largest and most significant Kraft R&D Centre in the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on chocolate and confectionery innovation.

“The Coalition Government’s International Engagement Strategy and Manufacturing Strategy are delivering assistance to small and medium sized enterprises to deliver high-quality, safe and innovative Victorian food to growing global markets,” Mr Dalla-Riva said.

Australian-New Zealand President of Kraft Foods Limited Rebecca Dee-Bradbury said today was about investing in the future.

“We are positioning Australia’s largest food R&D facility with one of Australia’s largest food manufacturing plants,” Ms Dee-Bradbury said.

“We’ll have more than 100 food scientists, technologists, and graduates – all food innovators looking at both Australian and Asian markets.

“The benefits extend beyond Kraft Foods. We are creating an open innovation centre which will connect with food SMEs across Victoria to build capability across the industry.