Indian plastics firm targets Byo

LEADING Indian plastic products manufacturing company, Kanku International, has responded positively to President Mnangagwa’s call for foreign investment as it has revealed that it will set up shop in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city, early next year.

In an interview on Tuesday, Mr Mukesh Kothari, the managing director of Kanku International, said he decided to open the company, which manufactures water containers for industrial and household use, in Bulawayo because the city has been designated as a special economic zone for the manufacturing sector.

“I have been following developments in Zimbabwe,” he said.

“I am aware that Bulawayo was once the industrial hub of Zimbabwe, but it has been hit hard by de-industrialisation. The new Government has said Bulawayo will be a special economic zone where most manufacturing must take place. So I think Bulawayo is the best place to open the factory.

“We will do that early next year. I will be in Zimbabwe before the year ends or at the beginning of December. Zimbabwe is open for business so I want to do business. I already have a plant in Malawi, but I always wanted Zimbabwe because it is strategically located.

“A factory in Zimbabwe will enable me to supply many countries in Africa. The country has a good transport network and its roads connect to many African countries.”

Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Modi said the company, which is headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, will not only create jobs, but will bring foreign currency to Zimbabwe.