Your current location:HOME >opinions >Chinese company spurs economic revival in Botswana's mining town 正文
TIME:2024-05-22 09:49:44 Source: Internet compilationEdit:opinions
GABORONE, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The setting up of Pipe World, a Chinese company that specializes in th
GABORONE, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The setting up of Pipe World, a Chinese company that specializes in the production of PVC and high-density polyethylene (HDP) pipes, will spur the economic revival of Botswana's eastern town of Selibe-Phikwe, a local official has said.
Kefilwe Motlhanka, the manufacturing and industry development manager at the country's Selibe-Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU), said Tuesday that the revival of the city, situated some 400 km northeast of Gaborone, Botswana's capital, is slowly taking shape thanks to the contribution of the Chinese company.
Twelve years ago, the economy of Selibe-Phikwe town sank into depression following the closure of the nickel mining BCL Mine, leading to a great loss of jobs resulting in the massive migration of its residents, said Motlhanka.
Unlike many other towns and cities in this diamond nation of Botswana that have their economies anchored on industries, Selibe-Phikwe's lifeline relies heavily on the existence of nickel mining and copper smelting, she said.
"Life is slowly returning to normalcy following the setting up of Pipe World in our city in 2020," said Motlhanka, adding that the company has so far created 100 employment opportunities and the jobs are likely to increase to 300 once fully operational.
Motlhanka said the establishment of the project worth about 40 million pula (2.92 million U.S. dollars) has increased the cash flow in Selibe-Phikwe and markets that had collapsed when the mining entity closed down in October 2016.
According to Motlhanka, the schools that suffered from low enrollment after employees withdrew their children due to losing their mining jobs are slowly but steadily returning to normalcy.
Wenjie Wang, the company's general manager, said his company is ready to manufacture enough pipes that the country dearly needs to improve its water reticulation system. "Our pipes are needed to improve water supply across the country."
The products manufactured by Pipe World include sewer lines, electrical works and potable water conveyance systems, Wang said, adding that irrigation systems will be introduced in the next five years, a development that will boost Botswana's growing agricultural sector. ■
Warner holds out IPL hot shot Fraser2024-05-22 09:26
WADA stands by decision to clear Chinese swimmers for Tokyo Olympics citing contaminated samples2024-05-22 08:48
China urges U.S. to formulate universal data security rules to enable orderly, free data flows2024-05-22 08:33
Ship which defied Nazi U2024-05-22 08:20
US Open champ Coco Gauff urges young Americans to vote2024-05-22 08:18
North Korea has fired multiple missiles into the ocean, South Korea says2024-05-22 08:14
Dick Van Dyke earns Daytime Emmy nomination at 982024-05-22 08:06
Giant panda parents, cubs back in China from Spain2024-05-22 07:19
Kansas takes control in the ninth and beats Kansas State in the opener of the Big 12 Tournament2024-05-22 07:09
Lod helps Minnesota United beat Charlotte 32024-05-22 07:08
Election 2024: Biden and the Democrats raised far less in April than Trump and the GOP2024-05-22 09:44
Prosecutors to make history with opening statements in hush money case against Trump2024-05-22 09:17
Dick Van Dyke earns Daytime Emmy nomination at 982024-05-22 08:51
Global exhibitors seek opportunities at consumer expo in Hainan2024-05-22 08:44
UN maritime tribunal says countries are legally required to reduce greenhouse gas pollution2024-05-22 08:26
Paintsil sparks Galaxy to 42024-05-22 07:54
Beijing base to bring in 50 giant pandas in 20252024-05-22 07:53
Lauren Sanchez 'begged Kellyanne Conway for help with her public image when they met at a party'2024-05-22 07:47
Thailand welcomes the return of trafficked antiquities from New York's Metropolitan Museum2024-05-22 07:44
Sir Keir's patriotism problem: One2024-05-22 07:33