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. ■
China's tech firm Huawei hosts roundtable on cybersecurity in Dubai
Kenya declares public holiday to mourn flood victims
Dozens still missing after Monday's South Africa building collapse. 7 confirmed dead
Windermere to wasteland: Raw sewage illegally pumped into Lake District beauty spot
PrettyLittleThing billionaire Umar Kamani and new wife Nada host Disney
Houston mayor says police chief is out amid probe into thousands of dropped cases
Pennsylvania sees fewer mail ballots rejected for technicalities, a priority for election officials
Scheffler, Spieth, McIlroy all going for different slices of history when they tee it up at PGA
An extremist group and ethnic militias committed atrocities in Mali, Human Rights Watch says
So Mi Lee shoots 66 to take lead in Mihuno Americas Open as Rose Zhang leaves with illness
Prada focuses generational transition on artisans, expanding production and workforce in Italy