Nyasa Manufacturing Company Limited (NCM) says it has so far invested US$1.2 m into the venture.
“The machinery is already in place and we should be operational by mid-August this year,” said the company's managing director Ronrad Buckle who said the equipment, purchased from China, will be able to produce 2,500 cigarettes per minute. According to Buckle however, full establishment of the company has been delayed by forex shortage in the country.
The company has indicated that it has ready market for its products in neighbouring countries like Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania.
Buckle said initially, the company will create 50 jobs, although in the first six months they will engage Chinese technicians who will be training local employees.
