Story by Jerold Sasa
THE Second Republic has been commended for creating a conducive business operating environment after Marondera-based Proton Bakers invested more than US$3 million in a modern plant.
The favourable business environment which government continues to create has been credited for leapfrogging local companies into competitive and viable entities.
Proton Bakers director Mr Gerry Tselentis said the new plant has the capacity to produce 2 000 loaves per hour, increasing its production capacity by 45 percent.
“We want to thank the government for creating a conducive environment which has resulted in us expanding our businesses We really appreciate what they are doing to promote us,” he said.
Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Senator Aplonia Munzverengwi, who toured the new plant this Tuesday, is excited about the company’s prospects of contributing to the provincial gross domestic product.
“We want to support our companies including Proton Bakers so that they grow and contribute to our economic growth. We also want wheat used by Proton to all come from our province so that we benefit from the value chain,” she noted.
With a 15 percent market share countrywide, the bread-making firm is the biggest employer in Marondera, outside government, with 1 500 employees.
