Mutare gets $70m industrial plants

Abel Zhakata Mutare Bureau
Investor confidence is now returning to Mutare where two plants worth $70 million have been set up in the Nyamakate Industrial Area in recent months.

Giant Mutare-based wholesale firm, Mega Market, is setting up a $30 million maize- meal and flour plant in the city’s popular industrial area, which will start production this month and employ more than 100 workers.

The Willowton Group invested $40 million in an oil plant in the same industrial area, which is already operating at 75 percent capacity and employs at least 130 people,

The plant is expected to employ more as production increases. Officials are upbeat about the return of investors, as they slowly gain confidence in setting up factories in the eastern border city.

Manicaland Provincial Administrator Mr Edgars Seenza said the setting up of the plant was in line with the country’s economic blueprint, Zim-Asset. “Mega Market is setting up a maize-meal and flour plant to the tune of $30 million,” he said.

“The project was awarded national project status in November 2016. They have since acquired a 10,2-hectare property from Cottco. Civil works have been done to accommodate the maize meal plant, which is currently being assembled. The plant is expected to be completed soon.” Mr Seenza said the plant would add value to locally produced farm products, thereby creating more revenue for the country.

He said Government departments should work hard to ensure ease of doing business. Apart from the Mega Market maize-meal plant, said Mr Seenza, the province was quickly becoming a destination of choice for investors.

“There is improved investor confidence in the provincial economy as evidenced by upward investment inflows such as Mega Market and the Willowton Group, which invested $40 million to set up an oil plant in Mutare,” he said.

“We will continue to come up with strategies to promote investment in the province and ensure that available resources are exploited for the benefit of the nation.”

The Willowton Group’s oil plant has brought life back to Nyakamete Industrial Area, which used to accommodate blue chip companies like Mutare Boards and Paper Mills.