The Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Center (SIRDC) ’s commercialization program recently got a much-needed financial boost when the research organization entered into a joint venture with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ). The deal, to be signed during a launch ceremony next month, will see the Zimbabwe central bank financing four of the SIRDC’ s priority commercialization projects to the tune of at least Z$233 billion. In this partnership, SIRDC will provide the intellectual firepower while RBZ will avail the requisite financial support .

At a strategic plan review meeting in Kariba early this year, SIRDC management prioritized four projects for commercialization; production of animal antibiotics; schools laboratory and teaching equipment (SLATE), setting up of a foundry and the expansion of the micro-concrete roofing (MCR) tiles production facilities. The MCR tiles, the first product to be commercialized by SIRDC, has been running as a business since the second half of 2004. Although production levels have been more than enough to meet demand, lack of adequate capital investment has made it difficult for SIRDC to decentralize and set up tile manufacturing plants in the other major cities of Zimbabwe. This has in turn created logistical difficulties related to timely delivery, not to mention the prohibitive cost of transporting the product to locations outside the capital. With the funds made available by the RBZ, additional plants will be established as a matter of urgency. (Plans are already underway to establish production facilities in Bulawayo and Mutare)

Breaking the news of the RBZ financial support to SIRDC management and staff, the SIRDC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Robson Mafoti, said that the commercialization of the identified projects will lead to employment creation and dissemination of technology for the benefit of Zimbabweans. It is estimated that thousands of jobs will be created. He urged the research staff to be more creative and come up with other ideas and innovations that can benefit from partnership arrangements with other financial and/or industrial institutions in the country.

The commercialization of the four projects will also result in down-stream employment, as more and more people will be required along the production chain up to the consumer. The venture will also prop up the Zimbabwe industry as well as minimize foreign currency expenditure as some of the programs are aimed at import substitution, especially the science laboratory equipment and foundry projects. The production of antibiotics for veterinary use to control both external and internal parasites will be a shot in the arm for the beef industry.

In this partnership arrangement, RBZ’s business entity, FINTRUST, will take equity in SIRDC’ s commercial arm, SIRTECH. Hitherto this development, SIRTECH had been a private company wholly owned by SIRDC with a mandate to commercialise the Center’s research products and services. A new SIRTECH Board has already been named and vacancies for the administrative and operational posts are being advertised.