Beluluane Industrial Park – Mozambique’s largest industrial park and free-trade zone – is pleased to announce the addition of Beleza to its free-trade zone. This week, the large-scale manufacturer of synthetic hair products will celebrate the pre-opening to introduce a new state-of-the art facility to its nearly 1,800 employees.

Beleza is a subsidiary and manufacturing unit of the Indian conglomerate, the Godrej Group. Operating in Africa since 2006, the Godrej Group is parent to a number of distinguished brands within hair and personal care products including Darling – a leader in the Mozambican market. Other brands include Frika, Kinky, Inecto, Renew and Mega Growth.

Comprising almost double the size of their current Matola factory, the new premises cover 22 000 square metres and is expected to capacitate a threefold increase in production. This signals major growth for both Beleza and Beluluane Industrial Park as Beleza aims to employ 5,000 people within the next five years.

Comments Jai Gandhi, CEO of Darling: “I am extremely pleased with our joint efforts to actualize the inauguration of this state-of-the-art factory. Besides our objective to produce superior-quality products, we are committed to supporting the Mozambican industrial workforce through contributing towards their economic upliftment.”

The new premises offer a more conducive working environment to Beleza’s employees – complete with eco-friendly water treatment plant, medical centre and canteen that can accommodate approximately 1,000 workers at any given point in time. Further to these upgrades, Beleza will employ new technologies to decrease temperatures within the production areas.

According to Gandhi, their team experienced a notable difference in the setup process as a result of Beluluane Industrial Park’s advocacy and established relationships with the Mozambican Government. This enabled them to enjoy a seamless setup process that was completed in just over 12 months.

He adds: “Beluluane Industrial Park provided the perfect provision of services. Without their support especially in terms of licensing and the infrastructure setup, we could not continue to grow our business.”

Export-driven business

Beleza was established and is situated within Beluluane’s free-trade zone to support Darling’s export-driven business objectives. Further to the fiscal benefits associated with doing business in the free-trade zone, Beleza will benefit from its location and proximity to the Port of Maputo, Maputo International Airport and EN4 highway – some of the many factors conducive to a successful expansion strategy.

Comments Executive Chairman of Beluluane Industrial Park, Adrian Frey: “It is remarkable that the majority of Darling’s production within Mozambique are already exported to South Africa and other SADC countries. They are truly setting the example for other manufacturers to prove that Mozambique has the potential to compete as one of the leading manufacturing industries in Africa.”

Darling has pioneered the African continent as it offers the widest range of hair extension products within the Southern region. Its strong foothold in Mozambique and the positioning of Beleza within the Beluluane Industrial Park will enable them to establish and grow their export hub to serve the rest of Africa.

Frey concludes: “Beluluane Industrial Park offers a variety of investment opportunities for savvy investors. We are convinced about the tremendous potential for growth; we believe that the park will attract as many as 500 new businesses, potentially creating more than 50,000 new jobs. Its location, an established and cost-effective work force and fiscal benefits means that Beluluane Industrial Park will fast become the hub for many more companies who wish to follow in the footsteps of Beleza.”