Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa commissions Ksh.3.2 billion bhang farm
Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has
commissioned a USD 27 million (approx. Ksh.3.2 billion) medicinal marijuana
farm in Mount Hampden area, Mashonaland West Province.
The farm is fitted with a state-of-the-art
processing plant aimed at stimulating other bio-medical solutions and
pharmaceutical products for both local and international markets.
The project, which was launched in
collaboration with the government of Switzerland, has seen the Swiss
Bioceuticals Limited Medicinal Cannabis Farm and Processing Plant set up shop
in the said area.
According to Mnagangwa, the partnership
demonstrates Switzerland’s confidence in investing in Zimbabwe’s economy,
noting that the European nation had already partnered with Harare in other ventures
such as manufacturing, food processing and institutional building.
“I extend my profound congratulations to the
Swiss Bioceuticals Limited for this timely investment in the medicinal cannabis
farm, processing plant and value chain, worth US$27 million,” Mnagangwa said when
he toured the plant on Wednesday, according to ZBC news.
“This milestone is testimony of the successes
of my government’s engagement and re-engagement policy. It further demonstrates
the confidence that Swiss companies have in our economy through their continued
investment in Zimbabwe.”
Zimbawe’s Head of State correspondingly
thanked Swiss Bioceuticals for moving with haste to establish the plant after
initially being handed licenses to operate in the country and produce marijuana
in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
According to Mnagangwa, five hectares of
land, fitted with greenhouse, have since been established by Swiss Bioceuticals
for marijuana farming since 2021.
“I exhort the company to accelerate its plans
to increase the hectarage to 15 by the end of this year, towards the
realisation of the target of 50 hectares by 2023,” he said.
Mnagangwa went on to challenge companies
issued with operating licences in 2018, to utilise them and better Zimbabwe’s
economy.
He likewise urged relevant stakeholders to
augment efforts to see more investment and trade between the two countries.
“As government, we recognise that Switzerland
is one of the leading European investors and we are ready to receive more
investments from that country,” said Mnangagwa.
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