MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU-Midlands Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube has commissioned a US$500 000 Fast One Steel (FOS) Investments facility in Gweru.
Speaking during the launch of the FOS investment, Ncube said steel is the backbone of “mechanization, construction, engineering, fabrication, foundry, mining, and agriculture” in the country.
He commended the company directors for their efforts and urged them to further consolidate their dominance in the local market.
“This milestone achievement by our indigenous fellow citizens is evidence of the positive impact of the company, a steel hardware retailer established and supportive business environment created by the Second Republic,” said Minister Ncube.
Ncube buttressed the government’s commitment to strengthening the business operating environment in the country.
He highlighted that the FOS investment comes at a time the country is registering growth and expansion of the iron and steel value chain industry.
Furthermore, the minister added that the government has successfully fostered business confidence, attracting both foreign and domestic investor interests in sectors such as mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.
He urged the private sector to step up their corporate social responsibility efforts in the communities.
“Corporate social responsibility ensures sustainable business operations by addressing community needs and problems,” Ncube added, citing Fast One Investments’ assistance to the AFM Church and Progress College with food donations as an example to be emulated by other private sector entities in the province.
FOS director Parkstone Marecha expressed the company’s satisfaction of its massive growth, noting that “steel is a crucial ingredient for many sectors, and the company is targeting to spread its presence across all corners of the Midlands Province”.
Fast One Investment currently employs a complementary staff of 24 people and supplies steel products across the Midlands Province, including Gokwe, Mvuma, Zvishavane, and Gweru.
In addition, the company plans to open more branches in the Midlands Province and is also considering building a steel beneficiation plant.
