Healthy prospect for consumer spending

IN 2005, interest will centre on the consumer sector, which has been going strong for a number of years now. Nestle (M) Bhd managing director Sullivan O'Carroll sees a promising year ahead for the food industry. Greater demand is expected from health conscious consumers. 

British American Tobacco (M) Bhd managing director Andrew Gray expects strong economic growth to continue. In today's CEO Outlook 2005, Gray also speaks at length on the three challenges facing the cigarette manufacturing industry. 

Theo de Rond, managing director of Guinness Anchor Bhd, cautions that spending may not be as robust as in the boom years. He mentions that an exceptionally high increase in excise duty has impacted prices of beer and stout. Within Guinness, there are efforts to vastly improve effectiveness and efficiencies.