Harare — PACKAGING material manufacturer Saltrama Plastics is confident that business in the Zambian market will boost operating capacity on the back of deals clinched with firms in that country.

Marketing manager Mr Masimba Mukurazita told Herald Business that there is vast potential in the region.

He revealed that the firm had recently secured a contract to supply packaging for a Zambian sugar producer valued at US$60 000 adding that there is potential for repeat business.

"There are great prospects in Zambia. We are currently working on samples for a number of potential customers but we are very excited about the US$60 000 order to supply packaging for sugar to one of the Zambian companies," he said.

Mr Mukurazita pointed out that operating capacity would surge significantly as regional trade volumes increase.

"Fulfilling the orders shouldn't be a problem. We are operating at very low capacity at present, so we should be able to do it without any constraints."

Saltrama has faced depressed production in the face of hyperinflation and difficulties in securing foreign currency to source raw material off shore, and this has in turn brought capacity down to between 5 and 10 percent. The company had in the closing stages of last year benefited from funding made available to plastic manufacturers by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to secure raw materials to boost production.

He also revealed that Saltrama was working on supplying shrink wrap for the beverages sector in that country, deals he says, "are likely to go through anytime soon."

Mr Mukurazita also indicated that Saltrama would not take on the services of a distribution agent for its products in Zambia saying, "we are going direct into the market."

At the recent Zambia Agriculture Show some companies were making arrangements to set up points of distribution for their products. Those that could not set up opted to use the Redstar Wholesaler's arrangement. The wholesale has already established itself in Zambia and is stocking a variety of Zimbabwean products.

Saltrama is the leading manufacturers of flexible plastic packaging, printed and plain bags, polythene sheeting, greenhouse sheeting, autopac and shrink film.