The
polyethylene
terephthalate
(PET)
plant,
which
is
located
in
Bulawayo,
has
been reported for
being
fundamental
to
the
region’s
re-industrialisation
drive
and
has
been
lauded
by
officials
as
a
forward
move
for
the
city’s
ecosystem
and
its
brewing
sector.
Ingwebu
Breweries
has
historically
been
known
for
its
sorghum
beer
packaged
in
traditional
containers,
however
now
that
the
company
is
expanding
into
PET
packaging,
it
is
expected
to
“improve
product
preservation
while
catering
for
modern
consumer
preferences”.
Owned
by
the
Bulawayo
Municipal
Commercial
Undertaking,
Ingwebu’s
investment
is
being
hailed
for
being
a
“state-of-the-art
facility”
which
“marks
a
strategic
shift
from
traditional
returnable
containers
to
modern,
recyclable
PET
bottles,
thereby
improving
efficiency,
sustainability
and
product
accessibility”.
Ingwebu
Breweries
special
advisor
to
the
president
responsible
for
monitoring
implementation
of
government
programmes,
Dr
Jorum
Gumbo
said:
“Government
support
to
the
private
sector
is
multi-faceted,
with
a
top
priority
being
the
creation
of
a
conducive
and
enabling
environment
that
allows
business
to
not
only
operate,
but
to
thrive.”
The
project
was
funded
through
a
US$1,95
million
loan
facility
from
Ecobank
Zimbabwe
and
ZB
Bank,
and
has
been
complemented
by
Ingwebu’s
internal
resources.
Dr
Gumbo
explained:
“Ingwebu’s
PET
plant
is
a
beacon
of
employment
creation,
rural
empowerment
and
industrial
modernisation.
This
project
is
not
only
creating
jobs
and
stimulating
economic
activity
but
also
contributing
to
our
nation’s
development
goals.
As
such
I
commend
the
private
sector
for
their
commitment
to
excellence
and
their
role
in
driving
our
economy
forward,
brick
by
brick,
stone
upon
stone.”
Minister
of
state
for
provincial
affairs
and
devolution
in
Bulawayo,
Judith
Ncube
added:
“As
a
province,
we
are
pleased
with
the
Ingwebu
Breweries
PET
packaging
plant
because
it
has
created
more
jobs
and
increased
employment
opportunities,
contributing
to
the
local
economy
and
stimulating
economic
growth.”
Source:
Zimbabwe
government
praises
Ingwebu
Breweries’
PET
progress
Post
published
in:
Business