‎‎By Maxwell Mapungwana
‎MARONDERA – Zimbabwe will mark another milestone in its industrialisation and innovation agenda when President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially commissions the Mutoko Bioeconomy Industrial Park in Mashonaland East Province on Thursday.
‎In a statement on Monday, the permanent secretary in the ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation Science and Technology Development, Fanuel Tagwirsa said the facility, developed under the ministry through its knowledge entity, Fine art Engineering, is expected to advance the country’s drive towards achieving upper-middle-income status by 2030 through science, innovation, technology and industrialisation.
‎”The commissioning of the Mutoko Bioeconomy Industrial Park demonstrates Government’s unwavering commitment to translating research, innovation and indigenous knowledge into commercially viable enterprises that improve livelihoods, create employment opportunities and accelerate rural industrialisation.
‎Finealt Engineering was established following extensive research and development initiatives undertaken by Zimbabwe’s universities and polytechnic institutions to transform research outputs into practical industrial solutions that directly benefit communities,” said Tagwira.
‎He said the industrial park reflects the Government’s commitment to transforming research, innovation and indigenous knowledge into commercially viable enterprises that improve livelihoods, create employment and accelerate rural industrialisation.
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‎The company focuses on the sustainable production of bioeconomy goods and services through the efficient utilisation of locally available biological resources, in line with the Ministry’s Education 5.0 and Heritage-Based Education 5.0 philosophy, which integrates teaching, research, community service, innovation and industrialisation.
‎Among its core responsibilities, Finealt Engineering develops rural bioeconomy industrial parks, produces sustainable bioeconomy products and services, establishes and manages feedstock and livestock estates, and purchases feedstock from local outgrowers, creating income opportunities for rural communities. The company also undertakes research into bioeconomy production technologies and trains apprentices from rural districts, equipping young people with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
‎”Importantly, the Park promotes value addition and beneficiation of local biological resources, reducing dependence on imported products while strengthening domestic production and enhancing Zimbabwe’s competitiveness in regional and international markets.
‎The commissioning of this strategic facility is expected to unlock new opportunities for local communities through increased agricultural productivity, enterprise development, technology transfer, skills development and sustainable environmental management,” said Tagwira.
‎He said the Mutoko Bioeconomy Industrial Park demonstrates how research generated within Zimbabwe’s higher and tertiary education institutions can be translated into productive industries that generate wealth, strengthen food security, create jobs and promote inclusive economic growth.
‎The park is also expected to enhance value addition and beneficiation of locally available biological resources, reducing reliance on imported products while strengthening domestic manufacturing and improving Zimbabwe’s competitiveness in regional and international markets.
‎”Beyond industrial production, the facility is projected to unlock new opportunities for surrounding communities through increased agricultural productivity, enterprise development, technology transfer, skills development and sustainable environmental management,” he said.
‎The commissioning of the Mutoko Bioeconomy Industrial Park is expected to highlight the role of collaboration between Government, academia, industry and local communities in delivering practical, research-based solutions to Zimbabwe’s development aspirations.
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