Cavendish Lloyd Zimbabwe (CLZ) last Friday launched the Zark cigarette brand, with plans to being a big player in the Sadc region.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
Speaking to NewsDay on the sidelines of the launch, CLZ chief executive officer, Norbert Chimushamu said they had introduced the brand as a way of bringing something fresh into the market.
“Zark brings an opportunity for Zimbabweans to enjoy premium grade leaf tobacco at an affordable price, which traditionally has been reserved for the export market,” he said.
“The cigarette, which is a fully-flavoured, relatively high in tar and nicotine to obtain a real tobacco taste, composing of 100% FCV tobacco without any additives, flavourings or chemical components that needn’t be in a good tobacco, is now on market.
“The fact that we are starting out in a country that has seen better times economically kind of indicates that we have a lot of confidence in the potential of Zimbabwe. It has a very resilient population.”
Chimushamu said they were on the right track and would soon consider spreading their wings to the Sadc region.
“With this good quality and the affordable price, the acceptance has been good. From the initial trials we have done and our first sales, we are confident that we are making an impact already, as people are approaching us to become distributors all over the country,” he said.
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“As we are here to serve the people who smoke, we will be looking at other demographics beyond Zimbabwe, such as Zambia and South Africa, which also have a substantial Zimbabwean population within their borders.”
Speaking at the event, guest of honour and Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Walter Mzembi said CLZ should make the brand to be part of revenue collection in the country.
“I am really excited about the launch of this product, as it is originally Zimbabwean, made from local tobacco, for locals by locals. The distribution model of this product is also very interesting, as it harnesses a lot of distributors, thereby, creating employment so we hope this product continues to grow,” he said, adding that cigarettes were some of the products bought by tourists as gifts to their nationals.
