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Mashonaland West Bureau
THE Second Republic’s Open for Business mantra continues to woo international businesses with an Indian horticultural seed producer recently expressing interest in establishing a plant in Mashonaland West after being attracted by the favourable investment environment permeating the country.
The interest shown by Asian-based seed manufacturing company Right Seeds comes as a plus to Mashonaland West as the province is one of the largest agricultural producers in Zimbabwe.
The company’s director, Mr Annirudha Tinali, who led local and Indian-based delegations during a courtesy call on Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo, recently, indicated that they were interested in investing in the province.
“The positive investment environment in the country is one of the key factors that attracted us to come and invest here. We intend to grow and make Mashonaland West Province one of the best horticulture exporters in the country. We are impressed by the support and willingness of the Minister of State to help us in setting up our base,” Tinali said. The company specialises in the production of horticulture seed for such crops as okra, cucumber, tomatoes, and watermelon, among other seeds.
In an interview, the company’s locally-based director, Mr Tinashe Mandishona, said their investment was going to support Zimbabwe’s development strategy and Vision 2030.
“Our investment is set to create employment through the value supply chain and knowledge advancement for local small-scale farmers. Mashonaland West attracted us due to its amazing weather conditions,” he said.
Minister Chombo said the company’s investment was going to bring economic value to the local communities.
“We expect you to go further than setting up a base in the country. You need to empower the local communities through knowledge sharing and infrastructure development in the communities you intend to operate in,” she said.While Zimbabwe has been grappling with illegal sanctions imposed by the West after the successful land reform programme in 2000, its look-east policy has seen the nation sail through the difficult times triggered by the economic embargo by the West.
Its ties with Russia, China, Belarus and India have greatly supported the agrarian revolution that it embarked on two decades ago.
Online Reporter