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The US$100 million Cut Rag Processing (Pvt) Limited has huge potential to make a positive spillover to Zimbabwean tobacco farmers, transporters and packaging material suppliers, who form part of the supporting eco-system and value chain, according to Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu.
President Mnangagwa officially opened the plant in Harare on Wednesday.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Minister Ndlovu said the state-of-the-art plant reflects the strong performance of the economy and the solid gains recorded in years.
“Your Excellencies, this investment helps make a positive spillover for our farmers, for transporters, for packaging suppliers, engineers and mechanics who form part of the supporting eco-system. This, Your Excellencies, is a simple demonstration of how the Zimbabwe economy has been growing at a rate higher than it appears in the region.”
Minister Ndlovu said the deployment of world-class machinery will boost production capacity while positioning Zimbabwe as a competitive and technologically advanced player in both regional and international tobacco value chains.
“The integration of architectural intelligence for real-time quality monitoring, predictive maintenance, and energy optimisation demonstrate the development’s modernisation drive, which will challenge the industry to embrace the benefits,” said the Minister.
Minister Ndlovu also credited President Mnangagwa’s leadership for creating a conducive environment for investment and acknowledged the role of the Agriculture Ministry and farmers in expanding tobacco output.
“It is, Your Excellencies, your leadership that is making the difference. Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, today we celebrate more than just the factory.
“We celebrate more than just the partnership and the global realisation of the modern investment in Zimbabwe.
“I wish to truly acknowledge the tremendous work done by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Anxious Masuka, and through you, the hard-working farmers across the country in driving tobacco farming globally to a level we could not have done before.
“The level of production is growing year after year, and this simply translates into increased output,” he said.
He applauded the President’s transformation of key economic sectors, noting the country’s growing capacity in agriculture, mining and tourism.
Minister Ndlovu said the Second Republic has created a foundation for sustained development across infrastructure, industry revival, governance reforms and national cohesion.
“This philosophy by Zimbabwe is a blessing to all, and an end to the demands of the engaged and disengaged growth that is the guest of honour.
“It is clear that there are further opening opportunities for growth to expand and to change,” he said.
Agriculture Minister Dr Anxious Masuka highlighted the robust growth of the tobacco sector since 2018, saying the country had aimed to raise value addition and beneficiation by 30 percent by 2025.
“This sector, like any other, is growing very, very fast,” he said.
“We have seen an increase in capacity by 47 percent since 2014,” he added.
Cut Rag Processors managing director Mr Leslie Malunga said the company has broadened its market reach and strengthened its technological capacity over the years.
“Each step of that journey has been guided by one principle—value creation through local processing.
“Your Excellency, the facility we are commissioning today represents the realisation of that long-term vision. This investment is a modern, fully automated plant equipped with world-class technology. It increases our capacity to process tobacco, for both local and export markets,” he said.
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