Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen
Astek Company Limited, a fruit processing company located at Nsawam in
the Eastern Region is to restart full operations in April 2020, following the
approval of GH¢5,444,760 through the
Ministry of Trade and Industry’s stimulus package programme for the
refurbishment of the company.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, who made
this known in Parliament yesterday, said out of the amount, GH¢2,639,760 meant
for capital expenditure had already been released, while the remaining GH¢2,805,000
which is also meant for working capital would be released in due course.
The Minister was answering a question posed by the Member of Parliament
(MP) for Nsawam/Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, who wanted to know the plans
that the Ministry had to revive the company to help provide job opportunities
for the people in the area.
The minister indicated that when the company starts full operation it would
be able to provide 60 direct jobs and 200 indirect jobs for residents of Nsawam
and Adoagyiri
He said the business promoter of the company who was leading the
company’s revival, had ordered for 600 metric tonnes per annum pineapple
processing equipment which would arrive in the country in January 2020, for
installation.
“Mr Speaker, the promoter has also used part of the disbursed amount to
refurbish the company’s premises at Nsawam but would require an additional
amount GH¢500,000 to complete the refurbishment due to cost overrun,” he said
According to the minister, the ministry through its ‘One District, One Factory’ policy will provide all the necessary incentives and support to ensure the successful operation of the company, adding that the company has secured orders to export canned sliced and chunked pineapples to Spain, USA and Egypt, under the new brand name, Nano Foods.
By Thomas Fosu Jnr
