ED commissions US$20m Varun snack plant

CLOUDINE MATOLA

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday officially commissioned a new US$20m snack manufacturing plant at Varun Beverages Pvt Ltd in Harare, marking a significant expansion of the company’s industrial footprint in Zimbabwe.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Mnangagwa said Varun’s investment was a strong endorsement of Zimbabwe’s economic policies and its capacity to produce internationally competitive goods.

“It is my distinct pleasure to be part of another milestone in Zimbabwe’s industrialisation journey, here at Varun Beverages as we commission the new production plant of the world-famous Cheetos brand in Zimbabwe. The local production of such globally celebrated brands serves as an endorsement of the country’s economy, policies and ability to deliver high-quality, internationally competitive products,” he said.

He added that the US$20m investment underscored growing confidence in the country’s manufacturing sector.

“The added US$20m investment by Varun Beverages also marks industrial diversification, the creation of employment opportunities for our people and manufacturing sector integration into both regional and global value chains,” Mnangagwa said.

The President also said the commissioning of the plant laid the foundation for a new juice and dairy blend production facility, which is expected to broaden Varun Beverages’ footprint in the beverage and nutrition industries.

“Today, I have laid the foundation stone for the new juice and dairy blend production facility of Varun Beverages Zimbabwe. This forward-looking investment will broaden our footprint in the beverage and nutrition segment through both the dairy and fruit sectors, while generating more downstream economic opportunities,” he said.