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After almost two decades of inactivity, Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles (ZCMT) on Thursday carried out a successful test run of newly acquired equipment as preparations continue for the factory’s full reopening.
ZCMT last operated as a fully functional manufacturing company in January 2007.
After shutting down, the facility remained under care and maintenance from 2007 until 2024.
Speaking during the test run of machinery valued at approximately US$140 million, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Chipoka Mulenga, said the revival of the textile plant marked a major step toward transforming the province into an industrial hub.
He explained that both the Zambian and Chinese governments had agreed to completely replace outdated machinery with modern equipment.
Read more: Mulungushi Textiles reportedly begins test runs ahead of commissioning
“So far, we have created about 400 to 500 direct jobs. In addition, US$400 million has been invested in cotton production under the outgrower scheme,” Mulenga said.
In response to the President’s directive encouraging industries to adopt alternative power sources following the country’s severe drought, Mulenga added that ZCMT had invested in a 200-megawatt solar power project.
Meanwhile, Central Province Permanent Secretary, Milner Mwanakwampe, remarked that in the past, promises to reopen ZCMT often surfaced during election periods without real progress.
However, he stressed that the current developments were genuine, as the old machinery had been scrapped and new equipment installed for full operationalization.
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