Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
ONE of Asia’s top tobacco producers, the Philippines, has expressed interest in cooperating with Zimbabwe in processing the commodity to realise maximum benefits.
A delegation from the National Tobacco Administration of the Philippines is in Zimbabwe to exchange ideas on tobacco value chains.
The delegation which has visited local tobacco auction floors, processing entities and other sub-sectors, held further meetings with government officials this Thursday where they expressed keen interest in partnering Zimbabwe.
“We have been in Zimbabwe for the past few days and our mission is on how we can partner Zimbabwe in the production of the commodity. While we have the expertise in terms of processing, it is the need to boost our production that has brought us here so going forward, we intend to solidify the existing partnerships and make sure it further boosts returns to the entire value chains,” National Tobacco Administration of the Philippines Regulatory Manager, Mr Robert Ambrose said.
Meanwhile Zimbabwe has revealed readiness to work with the Philippines.
“They are here to learn in as much as what we do concerning production, but given the huge magnitude in terms of the way they process the commodity into a fully fledged one, it means this is the ideal opportunity for us as the farmers to learn and see what can be done to accelerate overall production riding on the current gains and the entire Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector value addition strategy premised on deriving more returns to sustain overall production volumes and unlock value in the golden leaf,” the National Economic Consultative Forum Acting Executive Secretary, Mr Muzi Muzite said.
The government is upbeat over cooperation with the Philippines which boasts of comparative advantage in the processing of tobacco.
“There is a lot that Zimbabwe can learn from the Philipines riding on the current strides in the entire sector however the major concern is on processing so it is our view that the sector can benefit on the overall value chains, a move that will further accelerate growth while providing good returns to the economy, so as the government we welcome their initiative in the country and what they intend to do in the overall value addition systems or strategies,” the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Honourable Mangaliso Ndlovu said.
The Philippines delegation is also expected to visit tobacco-producing farms in line with the partnership agenda with Zimbabwe.
