The Sunday News
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
BULAWAYO is set to host the inaugural Zimbabwe Institute of Foundries (ZIF) Metal Casting Conference this week where different industry representatives will engage on the need to unlock wider value addition and beneficiation opportunities for the sector.
The event which will be held at a local facility on Friday would be attended by local metal casting industry players and their counterparts from South Africa and Botswana. In an interview, ZIF chief operations officer Mr Dosman Mangisi said they were at 100 percent uptake on bookings and registration.
“All is set for the event with 100 percent uptake on bookings and registration.
The event seeks to unpack the sector’s direct and indirect contribution to the Zimbabwe economy and map the way forward towards developing and supporting the players in the industry,” said Mr Mangisi.
He said Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando will grace the occasion as guest of honour and the ministry will be there to address issues of raw materials and scrap shortages and map the way forward.
Mr Mangisi said other dignitaries and industry executives will attend the event which will also be streamed virtually.
“Six South African companies have already confirmed attendance and were keen on striking synergies with local players.
The Botswana Ministry of Mines and Chamber of Mines have also registered as they desire close ties and would seek to exhibit their opportunities.
The delegation was keen to see products manufactured by Zimbabwean foundries and create business synergies.”
Mr Mangisi said shortlisted foundries will be invited to Botswana in Francistown in April next year to exhibit and network with other miners and foundry companies. He said all Covid-19 measures and protocols will be followed to make sure the event is a success and its main objectives are achieved.
“The success of the event will push for the ease of doing business in the foundry and metal casting sector. The steel sub-sector is critical in enhancing vibrant domestic manufacturing import substitution and export.
The sector is among key targets for revitalisation under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).”
Zimbabwe has 55 metal foundries including steel plants that are operational, with the other 30 being non-operational due to shortage of scrap metal and the unavailability of raw materials.
