Story by Tafara Chikumira
REDCLIFF-based manufacturing plant, Zimbabwe Chemical Refineries (ZIMCHEM) has increased its capacity utilisation to more than 55 percent, producing 30 tonnes of road tar a day against the country’s daily consumption of 10 tonnes.
The Second Republic is improving capacity utilisation with ZIMCHEM now on the global map, amid indications that the company is now targeting the international market after massive capital injection by the government.
The firm produces agro-chemicals as well as household and industrial chemicals, crucial in purifying water and enhancing agricultural production.
ZIMCHEM is exporting pitch and creosote to Zambia and South Africa, among other international markets.
ZIMCHEM general manager, Mr Tendai Shoko said, “As a company, we are glad that the Second Republic has come to our rescue in terms of capacitating our production. We are currently exporting 1000 tonnes of pitch to South Africa, 600 tonnes of furnace fuels, and 500 tonnes of creosote to Zambia for timber treatment, monthly. We have significantly contributed to the country’s Gross Domestic Product ever since we got capacitated by the Second Republic.”
The government has since pledged to capacitate industry for the country to become an upper-middle-income society by the year 2030.
“The manufacturing sector is earmarked to contribute at least 25 percent to GDP and be a major source of decent jobs. The Second Republic is working towards attaining an upper to middle-class economy by 2030 through private sector-led economic recovery and growth.
“Zimbabwe is indeed open for business. The refurbishment of the tar manufacturing plant is now complete. Apart from chemical manufacturing, the company also manufactures tar for domestic use on our roads and exports the same to neighbouring countries,” said Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube.
The Second Republic is on a massive drive to capacitate local entities to promote import substitution and create employment.
