Trade Kings gives up Botswana maheu project
By Business Reporter
TRADE Kings has abandoned plans to set up a maheu plant in Botswana which was to service that country and South Africa because of poor market demand.
Managing director Mohamed Patel said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the plant in Lusaka was capable of servicing Botswana since the market demand there was low.
Mr Patel said, however, said that the company had plans to erect maheu plants in Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo since there was a high market demand for the product.
He said that at the moment, Trade Kings was still exporting its products to the three countries under the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Free Trade Area.
Mr Patel also confirmed that the company would be expanding its confectionery plant due to the market demand that it has received.
He said since the plant was set up it has increased exports by 60 per cent.
“In our new line we will be marking chewing gums, mush-mellows and jelly” he said.
When the confectionery plant is expanded this year the company will employ 120 more Zambians.
