Government’s ease-of-doing-business reforms are beginning to stimulate industrial expansion across the country, with local companies citing a significantly improved operating environment as a catalyst for growth and job creation.
Harare-based AE Electrical says it is scaling up operations and investing heavily in value-addition as reforms introduced under the Second Republic continue to reduce production costs and enhance the business climate. The company, which employs more than 120 workers, has announced plans to expand into solar products manufacturing and related value-addition projects.
The developments came to light during a tour of the company’s operations by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare, Senator Charles Tawengwa, on Tuesday.
Senator Tawengwa said AE Electrical’s growth mirrors the positive momentum generated by the Government’s reform agenda.
“The Second Republic places industrial growth as a top priority, and AE demonstrates the benefits of instituting these ease-of-doing-business reforms. They are looking at expanding, which shows the benefits of improving the operating environment,” he said.
Chief Operating Officer John Chen praised the reforms for unlocking new growth opportunities.
“We are looking at solar products production and value addition because there are costs involved in running businesses. Government has done something that has not happened in years in terms of accelerating business expansion,” he said.
Established more than three decades ago, AE Electrical has grown into a regional player in the electrical manufacturing sector, expanding its footprint into several Southern African markets. With its new investments, the company is positioning itself to contribute even more significantly to Zimbabwe’s industrialisation drive.
