Kilombero Sugar Company has received a shipment containing plants for its new factory as part of its expansion project. The plants arrived in the country on February 17th where the Planning, Research and Information Technology Director at the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) Mr. Maftah Bunini represented the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Hon. Dr. Ashatu Kijaji at brief ceremony held at the Dar es Salaam port.
Speaking on behalf of Minister Kijaji immediately after receiving the plants, Mr. Bunini said that the Government to through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment as well as the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) will continue to support investors' efforts by creating a conducive environment for investment to stimulate economic growth.
"The government will benefit immensely from these investments where the factory will be able to pay more taxes," Bunini said. "I congratulate the Company on this investment and I call on other investors not to hesitate to come and invest in the country, the sixth phase government is committed to improving the systems and environment for investment."
Describing the type of machinery that arrived, Business Affairs Manager from Kilombero Sugar Company, Mr. Bruno Daniel explained that the plants are some of the largest plants expected to arrive into the country in the construction of the new factory, hence the arrival of the plants is an important step in the implementation of the expansion project expected to be completed in 2024.
"The equipment we received today include the mill which is a large and important part of the factory construction, so the completion of its manufacturing and arrival in the country is a sign that our construction project will be completed in the expected time frame," Bruno said.
The event was witnessed by other officials including the Dar es Salaam Port Director, Mr. Mrisho Selemani Mrisho who represented the Director General of Tanzania Ports and explained how the Dar es Salaam port is committed to facilitating the implementation of government and private investor projects.
"On behalf of the Director General, I can assure investors that we will continue to cooperate to facilitate business in the country," Mr Mrisho said. "The port, in addition to being a gateway to the economy, we also facilitate other sectors such as the manufacturing sector and others whose cargo passes through the port of Dar es Salaam."
The plants are part of the implementation of the Kilombero Sugar Company expansion project whose completion will enable the government to achieve its objective of self-sufficiency in sugar production by 2025. The new plant will grow the company's capacity to produce sugar from the current 126,000 tonnes per year to 271,000 tonnes per year.
Notes to editors:
- Kilombero Sugar Company has made significant investments in the business over the past 20 years, totaling more than $166 million. This has involved various cane and sugar production expansions and the commissioning of a state-of-the-art distillery (K3 mill) currently supplying 12 million kiloLiters of high-quality alcohol to the local beverage industry.
- Illovo Sugar Africa, which itself is wholly-owned by Associated British Foods in the United Kingdom, holds 75% of the issued share capital in the Kilombero Sugar Company, with the balance of shares (25%) held by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania. Kilombero is situated in the Morogoro region in the centre/south of the country.
- Kilombero Sugar Company comprises of two adjacent agricultural estates and sugar factories, Msolwa and Ruembe, situated on either side of the Great Ruaha River and linked by a low-level bridge. It produces direct consumption brown sugar under the ‘Bwana Sukari’ brand name, which is marketed and distributed by the company.