LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)– It has been established that Malawi will soon be able to save about US$9 million from imports of clinker; this follows the construction of two clinker factories by Shayona in Kasungu and Cement Products Limited Njereza Plant in Mangochi.
According to Cement Products Limited Managing director, Akbar Gaffar, the company’s clinker factory is expected to start operating by the end of August.
Grain Malunga, a mining and energy expert, made the observation; it is in view of reports that the two factories are expected to start operating in the next two months in the country.
Malunga told our sister publication, The Daily Times that the establishment of the two factories energized Malawi’s mining sector and the entire construction industry through the provision of affordable cement products on the local market.
He says currently, Malawi imports about 300,000 metric tons of clinker from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and other countries annually, which translates to over US$9 annually.
By producing the clinker locally, Malunga said the country stands to benefit from an import substitution of about US$9 million. He said can be used to import essential goods which are not manufactured locally.
Malunga said that having clinker produced locally also presents an opportunity to boost other sectors such as limestone mining, coal mining and quarry stone manufacturing on top of creating jobs for Malawians.
The mining expert, however, said there is need for Government to control the influx of foreign products on the local market to allow the local companies to start realizing returns on their investments.
“The economy of every country hinges on the availability of foreign currency. This can only be done if a country reduces imports while at the same time maximizing exports. The construction of the two clinker factories will, therefore, help in that direction,” Malunga said.
