By Flata Kavinga
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has pledged government support to help Zimchem Refiners increase production and expand its contribution to key sectors of the economy.
Speaking to journalists after touring the company’s operations in Redcliff, Dr Chiwenga said the government would engage relevant ministries and agencies to address challenges affecting the company’s operations and ensure it reaches full production capacity.
He said Zimchem’s products support several industries, including agriculture and infrastructure development, making the company strategically important to the country’s industrial growth.
“Zimchem’s production cuts across many sectors of the economy. In agriculture they are there, in infrastructure development they are there, so we want them to continue developing these products and also export,” he said.
The Vice President said he was encouraged by the company’s efforts to penetrate regional markets, citing a supply order from Mozambique linked to an aluminium plant in that country.
“I was moved when they said they have an order from Mozambique for the aluminium plant there. They will be getting close to a million every week, and what they require is a relatively small amount to bridge their operational needs,” he said.
Dr Chiwenga said government would engage relevant authorities in Harare to address the company’s financial and operational requirements.
He also emphasised the need for improved coordination between Zimchem and companies producing coking coke so that the firm can secure adequate supplies of coal tar used in its manufacturing processes.
“For Zimchem to thrive there has to be cooperation with all coking coke producers so that they can get the tar they require. We now have more than four companies producing coking coke and we will coordinate at ministerial level to ensure their requirements are met,” he said.
The Vice President said government would work with various ministries to help close the company’s funding gap and support the revival of its production lines.
He noted that Zimchem manufactures a range of chemical products, including herbicides and pesticides used in agriculture, adding that increased production would benefit the country’s farming sector.
Dr Chiwenga said government expects the company’s tar, benzene and related chemical production units to resume full operations as part of efforts to strengthen Zimbabwe’s industrial base.
