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Delta technical director Tich Rinomhota (right) stresses a point to the Minister of State in Vice President Mphoko’s Office Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga (left) during a tour of the Fairbridge Chibuku plant yesterday

Oliver Kazunga Senior Business Reporter—
THE government is working tirelessly to improve the investment climate in the country in order to revitalise the economy, Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko said yesterday. He said this in a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of State in his office, Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga, during the commissioning of the refurbished Delta Beverages’ Chibuku Fairbridge Brewery in Bulawayo.

About $22 million has been channelled towards refurbishing the Fairbridge Brewery covering expansion and modernisation of the sorghum beer brewery, installation of state-of-the art PET bottle blowing and filling plant and the Umguza-Bulawayo effluent line.

The investment has created close to 60 jobs, officials said. “As government, we’re working tirelessly to improve the investment climate in Zimbabwe in order to revive the various sectors of the economy. We’re aware that there are concerns about certain laws and regulations, which impact on the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe,” said VP Mphoko.

He said the government has consistently indicated the laws relating to indigenisation have a focus on the exploitation of the country’s natural resources to achieve a win-win situation between investors and the indigenous population. Against this background, he said, there was flexibility when it comes to the manufacturing sector and other less resource-based industries.

VP Mphoko applauded Delta Beverages for investing in capital projects, saying the government was aware of the benefits that accrue to the entire economy as a result of such investments. “As government, we’re cognisant of the tremendous benefits that accrue to the entire economy arising from these investments, through job creation and support to the agricultural sector by providing a market for sorghum and maize,” he said.

VP Mphoko noted that most local authorities were benefiting from the three percent beer levy on opaque beer, which had increased significantly due to the introduction of the higher value Chibuku Super brand.

“The local authorities received a combined $4,5 million for the year to March 2015 and have already received $1,9 million in the five months to August 2015. It’s our hope that the funds from the levy are appropriately applied to improve social amenities for the benefit of local communities.”

He also applauded the beverages producer for dealing with issues of environmental management and programmes that aim to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol. The company runs a number of initiatives on collecting post-consumption waste such as installation and clearing of litter collection cages as well as supporting various entities involved with recycling PET.

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