20 September 2004
CODIBA, a new firm engaged in agro-processing, has started producing jams and drinks using indigenous fruits on the Copperbelt.
In an interview yesterday, International Executive Services Corps (IESC) Zambia country director, Nathan DeAssis, said the formation of the company would also create employment in the province.
Mr DeAssis said the firm consists of local businessmen and members of the District Business Associations (DBAs). It is affiliated to the Zambia Chamber of Small and Medium Business Associations.
The company would be using traditional fruits -- masuku and impundu to produce jams and juices.
According to Mr DeAssis, the use of the traditional fruits would add variety to the market while increasing the usage of indigenous resources that have been going to waste.
"We would like to take advantage of various wild fruits including intungulu to make jam and juices," he said.
The company was already producing jam from water melons and intungulu, on a small-scale basis, for the local market.
The agro-processing firm was still trying to raise K60 million as initial capital injection to start large-scale production.
CODIBA is currently sourcing equipment from firms that have gone under.
Mr DeAssis said CODIBA would work with the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) to ensure the products were of high quality.
CODIBA was an idea mooted with the help of a volunteer called John Acarregui who visited Zambia through the IESC Zambia, an organisation that promotes private sector development.
Full-scale production is expected to start in the next two months.
And Kitwe CODIBA interim chairperson, Barius Chalwe, said the company to be based in Ndola would comprise 25 shareholders who would buy shares according to their capacity.
Mr Chalwe said the purpose of the company would be to fill the vacuum created by the demise of jam-making companies and would later start exporting its products to other countries.
"The purpose of the company is to fill up the vacuum of jam producers in Zambia, we are looking at exporting some of the produce to the Democratic Republic of Congo," he said.
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