Help in improving economy, local companies urged

LOCAL companies should complement Government’s thrust to improve the economy backed by the mantra “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” by coming up with programmes which assist rural communities and improve their livelihoods, a local businessman has said.

Speaking at a field day held recently at Mazivanhanga Village, Ward 12 in Chihota, Curechem Overseas (Pvt) Ltd group managing director Mr Anup Chand said it was in that light that his company decided to help Mahusekwa community with a farming project.

Curechem set up a drip irrigation system and villagers are growing maize and beans crops under three hectares of farmland, with the company also supplying farming chemicals. Proceeds from the farming project will assist needy centres in Mahusekwa

“Curechem’s believes that no Zimbabwean should suffer or die from hunger, that is why it is giving back to the community. The company also believes that no child must go without education,” said Mr Chand.

“Likewise, the current Government is open for business to improve the economy, we should all also do something to help the current Government to improve the economy and people’s livelihoods, hence Curechem took the step to assist the Mahusekwa community with this farming project.”

Mr Chand said companies should not just question Government actions, but should ask themselves what they have done for the country.

He said Curechem Overseas (Pvt) Ltd started operations in Zimbabwe in 1998 in Msasa, Harare with only two employees (himself and his wife).

“Now the company has grown and has branches in South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, India and formulation plant in Chimoio, Mozambique, which gives the company strong network and capacity to meet its customers’ needs,” he said.

“Due to the hard work of the staff, the company started growing and Curechem directors saw it befitting to give back to the community in the small way they could and in 2002, the company started Kunzwana Women Association project, where it taught women how to make candles and supplied them with the raw materials, equipment and expertise to make candles.”

He said the project has grown and the women can now sustain their lives.

Mr Chand said Curechem will support Mahusekwa community and will lead the project and partner the community.

“The first step towards the long journey that the company took was to put the drip irrigation system and grow maize and beans crops under three hectares of farmland with the intention of increasing the hectarage in the next season and plans are to grow potatoes, tomatoes and other crops,” he said.

Mr Chand said the proceeds from the farming project will assist needy centres in Mahusekwa and the first centre to benefit will be Auntie Beauty Orphanage and Vulnerable Full Day Centre which looks after orphans, old people and the disabled.