Zambia: Lusaka South Mfez, Tobacco Firm Ink Deal

Source from:  Times of Zambia  08/07/2013

THE Lusaka South Multi Facility Economic Zone (LS-MFEZ) and Roland Imperial Tobacco Company Limited on Friday signed a lease agreement for the establishment of a cigarette-making plant at the zone at a cost of US$5 million.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lusaka, Lusaka South MFEZ managing director Fortune Kamusaki said the plant would consist of a factory building, warehouses and the administration block apart from other facilities.

He said the main product of the plant would be a generic tobacco filter cigarette that would be able to compete with leading brands in the world.

"The filter cigarettes are both for local and export markets. Initially two brands will be produced, and depending on the market response, additional brands may be introduced.

Where imports will be necessary, they will be imported from Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Malawi," Dr Kamusaki said.

He said the plant would be able to produce 6,000 cigarettes per minute and the full capacity would be attained in the third year of operation.

The construction of the factory which was expected to commence once necessary approvals had been obtained would create 30 permanent jobs and numerous others during construction phase of the plant.

Dr Kamusaki also said that temporal jobs were also expected to be created for loading and offloading. Commercial production was expected to begin by August 2014.

During the ceremony, Roland Tobacco Imperial Limited managing director, Ephraim Mwenda job opportunities for Zambians will be created.

Dr Mwenda said the company was excited and was looking forward to putting up the facility. Enditem