Disco trims Zimbabwe’s steel import bill by 90%
By Caleb Chikwawawa
Chinese-owned steel giant Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Disco) is among other contributions to the Zimbabwean economy through cutting down the country’s massive steel import bill of approximately US$1 billion by 90%.
This was highlighted Friday by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere as he led a media tour of the plant to assess the projects, familiarise journalists with the facility and promote media reporting of high-impact projects spearheaded by the government.
The U$1,5 billion Integrated Iron and Steel Industrial Park in Manhize, Chirumhanzu, Midlands is one of the government’s flagship industrial projects.
“Dinson is one of the few companies with an integrated and unique steel architecture,” Muswere said.
“We thank the geography of one country, meaning to say that iron ore is in one country, the cocking core, the limestone is in Zimbabwe and many other associated raw materials that are required in order to produce steel.
“It is of great importance that we are cutting down in terms of our import bill which was more than a billion dollars per annum in terms of steel products into Zimbabwe.”
Besides cutting down the steel import bill, Manhize iron and steel plant has also contributed to the Zimbabwean Economy through creation of employment with target of employing 10,000 people at full capacity, production of steel products that can be exported with a target of 600 000 tonnes of steel products annually.
