Zambian Breweries – ZB, majority owned by world’s largest brewer AB InBev, has started local production of alcohol based hand sanitisers to help curb the spread of COVID-19. This follows the approval from the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority – ZAMRA and has since called for partnership in the production of hand sanitizers.
The brewing company had last week announced it’s plans to start production of alcohol based hand-sanitizers amidst COVID – 19 and that it was only awaiting approval from ZAMRA. ZB had told then told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT that it had engaged its experts to initiate the production of alcohol based hand sanitizers.
The company has now donated 5,000 440ml bottles of ZB branded hand sanitisers to the Ministry of Health in Lusaka. ZB joins Trade Kings and Zhongkai in manufacturing and packaging hand sanitizers locally.
ZB country Director Jose Moran has since thanked ZAMRA for the certification saying the company has managed to produce hand sanitizers for the very first time in it’s labs.
In a statement availed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT by ZB Public Relations Consultant Gillian Langmead, Moran noted that production of hand sanitisers followed high demand of the commodity on the market and reduced alcohol production at the company in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As you know, we produce beer – the brands that you like – but this time that we have reduced our production, we are using our equipment and our people to make hand sanitisers,” He said.ZB had told ZBT that it had cut beer production by 50% after the closure of bars and night clubs across the country as a measure to stop the spread of covid 19.
“I am also looking for partners that will help us to cover the costs, so that we can do this at a bigger scale as a good partnership would help reduce the prices of hand sanitisers on the Zambian market, Moran said.
And in receiving the branded hand sanitisers on behalf of government, Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya hailed Zambian Breweries for supplementing government efforts in combating COVID-19.
“We want to thank you so much for your positive corporate social responsibility program. The donation towards hand washing and improved sanitation will curb the spread of the infection in the communities and among health workers,” Dr. Chilufya said.
The local production of Alcohol based hand sanitizers by ZB is a welcome initiative that enables the country to used locally sourced materials and expertise thereby reducing the need for importing.
ZB is doing a good job as they set up a malting plant in the Lusaka South multi facility economic zone, have engaged local farmers to grow barley in Zambia and now providing an import substituting hand sanitizers. These moves ensure that forex bleeding is lessened in Zambia and this would help stem the perpetual Kwacha depreciation which is perhaps the biggest economic travesty in Zambia.
