Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe,Zimpapers Business Hub
Special Advisor to the President on Monitoring the Implementation of Government Programmes, Dr Joram Gumbo, is today expected to visit Ingwebu Breweries in Bulawayo to assess progress on the company’s US$1,7 million Beer PET Project.
The project, being spearheaded by the Bulawayo Municipal Commercial Undertaking-owned brewer, seeks to modernise beer packaging through the introduction of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers.
This innovation is expected to revolutionise the distribution and shelf life of Ingwebu’s products, positioning the company competitively in the rapidly evolving beverage sector.
The investment marks a bold step in Ingwebu’s broader diversification strategy aimed at offering more convenient and durable packaging options, in line with changing consumer preferences.
Traditionally known for its opaque sorghum beer served in returnable containers, the company is pivoting to PET packaging to enhance product preservation and accessibility.
The visit by Dr Gumbo forms part of Government’s wider thrust to monitor the implementation of key industrial projects under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), particularly those geared toward value addition and industrial innovation.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet media briefing in March, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere noted the PET packaging initiative as a milestone under the “moving the economy up the value chain” pillar of NDS1.
“In the ‘moving the economy up the value chain’ pillar of the National Development Strategy 1, the Minister of Industry and Commerce highlighted the following achievements for projects under his purview: (i) Installation of a Beer PET Project worth US$1,7 million at Ingwebu Breweries in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province is on course,” Dr Muswere said then.
Officials from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and Ingwebu Breweries are expected to make technical and operational presentations during the field visit, outlining key achievements, timelines and anticipated impact on both the local economy and consumer market.
