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Victor Maphosa, Mashonaland East Bureau
President Mnangagwa should be commended for his policies such as the “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra, which have attracted investment worth millions of dollars into the country and transformed many lives.
Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Aplonia Munzverengwi, said this after touring of Mount Meru cooking oil processing plant in Seke, Mashonaland East province, on Thursday.
President Mnangagwa officially commissioned Mouth Meru cooking plant in 2022 in keeping with Government’s rural industrialisation drive.
Minister Munzverengwi, who was accompanied by Government officials from her province, said she was impressed by the production levels at the plant.
“When we came here with President Mnangagwa in 2022 to commission the processing plant, they were still very small, but today we are witnessing a great change,” she said. “This investment is because of President Mnangagwa’s engagement and re-engagement efforts and the ease of doing business environment (he has created).
“This company is less than four years since its establishment in Zimbabwe but we have seen a higher level of production here. As a province, we are going to provide raw materials for them, we are an agriculture province.”
Minister Munzverengwi said she was happy that even the surrounding communities were benefiting from the project.
“Our people are employed here.
“This kind of production is also boosting our Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” she said.
The Minister called on more investors to invest in Mashonaland East Province, where she said, there exists a lot of opportunities cutting across tourism to mining and renewable energy, among others.
“So, I invite all potential investors to invest in this province. Investors are welcome.”
Mount Meru general manager Mr Ankit Dhote, applauded the Government for creating a conducive environment for business.
“We make soya bean cooking oil in this country and we are still growing. We are getting good support from the Government, this province and we are happy about that.
“We are hoping that the community will keep benefiting from us,” he said.
Mount Meru is a global group of companies established in 1978 and headquartered in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with operations in downstream petroleum business, manufacturing of edible oils, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), lubricants, storage, logistics and real estate.
At the moment, Mount Meru has a presence in 13 African countries and business support units in India. The group has extensive experience in managing the edible oil business across Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Uganda and Rwanda.
In addition to the edible oil business in Zimbabwe, Mount Meru is also in the fuel distribution business, with 251 service stations across Eastern and Southern Africa.
Online Reporter