Market Potential for Light Engineering Products
1. Aluminum is mainly sought by affluent consumers who are interested in modern designs. While many
construction businesses use steel rather than aluminum, there is still a niche market that can be
exploited.
2. The overall response received from key players in the industry showed that our designs have a modern
and attractive look. It was also found that the dimensions provided for the windows and doors are
similar to the Zimbabwean market demand. We can conclude that the potential for Mauritian exporters
to enter the market
3. The demand for PVC pipes and connectors are dependent to some degree on the number of investment
taking place in Zimbabwe. From this perspective our meetings with key players have revealed that in
the future, there will be a good demand for such products. For instance, Develop It Holding Co and
Hawkflight have upcoming housing and business projects.
4. The Mauritian samples were considered as better quality in comparison to local suppliers by the
industry experts. Moreover, the price offered by Mauritian suppliers received good response.
Develop IT Holding Co.
Develop IT is a holding company which is involved in construction of industrial and residential
properties for the past 10 years. Maranatha one of its subsidiary is involved in the construction
of schools and universities.
1. Aluminum
Mr. Samuel Mudavanhu, the Chief Executive Officer of Develop It stated that there are not many
companies in Zimbabwe who is currently manufacturing aluminum. He claimed the import
market of aluminum is dominated by the Chinese. However, he mentioned that the quality from
China is poor. He also added that the aluminum available on the local market is more expensive.
He is of the view that the Mauritian designs are very modern and attractive.
2. PVC Pipes and connectors
Commenting on the Mauritian samples, Mr. Samuel Mudavanhu found the prices to be highly
competitive. He also mentioned that the Mauritian samples are of superior quality compared to
the Zimbabwean ones. He further stated that the products used in this sector are currently being
imported from South Africa and China. While he claimed that similar products from China are
rather cheap, unfortunately they do not meet the required specifications. He mentioned that
Mauritian companies have to bear in mind that Zimbabwe usually adopts the British Standards in
the construction sector. He underlines that one major obstacle that Mauritian manufacturers will
face is that Zimbabwe has strict specifications on water and sewerage pipes.
Mr Mudavanhu said he is highly interested to import from Mauritius because the products are
rated as high quality and the prices are fairly competitive. He intends to import from Mauritius
PVC Pipes, UPVC elbows and tee and Aluminum products for his housing projects as well as for
distribution on the local market.
Hawkflight Construction
Hawkflight Construction is a civil engineering construction company which is involved in the
development and construction of commercial and residential houses around Bulawayo and the
catchment area of the same city. Mr. Mngane Ncube, Managing Director of the company was
approached to gauge his interest in importing construction equipment from Mauritius. According
to him, to be able to compete effectively on the Zimbabwean market, Mauritian products should
be of good quality, affordable and durable.
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Aluminum Openings
In evaluating the Mauritian designs for window and door frames, Mr. Ncube found the designs to
be very innovative and sophisticated. He informed us that he has been sourcing most of his
products from South Africa and locally but complained that the prices were too expensive.
Today, with our modern manufacturing processes and highly competitive price the aluminum
sub sector represents huge business opportunities for Mauritius to penetrate the market and
establish a strong position in Zimbabwe. Moreover, another sign of positive development is the
increase of construction projects taking place in the country.
3.1.3 Polybrand PVT Ltd
Polybrand is a Zimbabwean company which began operations in 2002. Polybrand specializes in
the production of plastic irrigation tubes. The company is also involved in the distribution of
other products, which it does not manufacture. Mr. Nyashanu, the Managing Director of
Polybrand PVT Ltd likes the quality of the UPVC pipes as well as the elbow and tee connectors.
Currently the company is sourcing locally and importing from South Africa. In the course of our
meeting, Mr. Nyashanu expresses his wish to source these products from Mauritius.
Amcotts- Tyre Distribution Specialists
Amcotts trading is the leading importer and distributor of a wide range of world renowned
brands of high performance tyres, batteries, brakes and clutches.
Mr Marc Rossiter, the Director of Amcotts was contacted as he wanted to find out business
opportunities in Mauritius. Mr. Rossister stated that he is interested to source brakes pads from
Mauritius in order to take advantage of the existing preferential trade agreements within SADC
and COMESA. However, he mentioned that competition with South Africa will be the
determining factor because of the price and logistics.
Moreover, Mr. Rossister informed EM officials about their business in truck and car batteries.
He claimed that he is currently importing from USA and because of the duties, it is difficult for
the company to be competitive. Therefore, Mr. Rossister has expressed his interest to set up an
assembly plant in Mauritius which the company will use as a platform to distribute to African
countries.
Market Testing for Paint
Trinidad Industries (Pvt) Ltd
Trinidad Industries is a chemical manufacturing company that produces a wide range of products
namely, adhesives, glues, moisture proof membranes (DPC /Malthoid) sealants, coatings, epoxy
grouts, electrical jointing and crusher baking compounds. The company also possesses a
construction Division that offers a wide range of fix and supply services in infrastructure
rehabilitation or development, maintenance works and projects such as in water-proofing, laying
chemical resistant floors, epoxy grouting and expansion jointing.
Mr. Boterere, the Managing Director of Trindad Industries is willing to import paints and wood
varnishes from Mauritius. The company used to manufacture paint but stopped its production
because of the unstable economic situation that hit Zimbabwe in 2008. However, since
Zimbabwe is starting to show the first signs of an economic boom, he expresses his interest to
get back into the business of paint. He suggested that since the company already had a wellestablished brand of paint on the local market, he would prefer to have the paint manufactured
and exported to Zimbabwe under their known brand which they will distribute to the local
market.