Utexrwa is in negotiations with the United Nations (UN) where the former will supply 500,000 bed nets to the Haiti earthquake victims.

Raj Rajendran, Managing Director of Utexrwa said the textile firm has received an inquiry from UN officials to supply at least 30,000 nets in the first phase.

"We are still in negotiation of 30,000 nets as well as future developments in regards to the production,” Rajendran said.

"We are still carrying out production trials but by next week will have set the price.”

Utexrwa says it will produce 70,000 nets in March and another 70,000 in June mainly to cater for the growing demand on the local market.

The company plans to invest at least $12 million in the next three to four years with an aim of employing 2000 workers from the current 740 employees.

Utexrwa’s anti-malaria nets project has been boosted by the support from United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Bralirwa and the Ministry of Health which have provided technical and financial support.

The company is also in partnership with Germany Chemical and Pharmaceutical giant, Bayer, which provides the chemicals for the treatment of the nets.

According to Rajendran, the project will support the company’s ambition of producing more than 12 million nets annually.

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