Reopening of the Malungushi Textiles Factory, a China-Zambia joint venture in Kabwe, central Zambia commenced recently with the arriving of the first batch of equipment and machinery. The factory is set to resume production after a hiatus of 17 years, creating approximately 500 direct jobs.
Once one of Zambia's largest textile companies, Mulungushi Textiles was originally established as a joint venture between the Zambian defense ministry and China's Qingdao Textiles, with support from the Chinese government. The factory ceased operations in 2007.
The decision to redevelop Mulungushi Textiles was announced during Zambian President HakaindeHichilema's state visit to China in September last year, which focused on establishing a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two nations.
During the reopening ceremony of the textile unit, ChipokaMulenga, Commerce, Trade, and Industry Minister, Zambia, highlighted, revival of the factory would not only stimulate economic development in the Central Province and surrounding regions but also revitalise the domestic cotton industry.
Historically, Mulungushi's core operations included spinning, ginning, garment manufacturing, weaving, dyeing, and printing cotton materials for the country's defense forces and Zambia Police Service. The company also exported to neighboring countries within the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), benefiting from a duty-free facility on imports created by the United States.
