Zim private sector raises over US$1m to fight COVID-19

PHILLIMON MHLANGA

Local companies have made contributions worth over US$1m to support the fight against the deadly coronavirus pandemic,the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) has said.

Zimbabwe has so far reported nine cases and one death. Realising that government  cannot defeat the coronavirus alone, President Emmerson Mnangagwa   last week appealed for more than US$2bn to fight the pandemic.

 This has resulted in CZI,which is coordinating private sector contributions in collaboration with with the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe, Employers Confederation of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Business Council for Tourism, to step in and mobilise resources.

According to CZI, Tongaat Huletts has availed 300,000 litres of ethanol worth ZWL$8.4m for the production of hand sanitisers.  The company has also set aside ZWL$12m for hospitals refurbishment in Masvingo Province. Using the interbank rate of ZWL$25:US$1, it’s equivalent to US$816,000.

ProPlastics,  DripTech and Megapack will provide tanks and pipes for 10,000 litres mobile water storage at six public hospitals.

TelOne is providing four tank stands to this leg of the initiative.

Medical Investments has availed Montagu Clinic, a 22 bed facility to be used as a treatment and isolation centre.

“In line with the national appeal launched by President ( Emmerson) Mnangagwa for US$2bn, currently,  private sector contributions to the national response stand at over US$2m,” CZI said.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button