A local oil processing firm, Ikirezi Oil Processors, has asked the government to avail 400 hectares of land to enable it to grow rawmaterials for its business.The company was recently listed among several local firms that need a state bailout in the Karisimbi Business Partner report.In an exclusive interview with The New Times, the firm’s Managing Director, Dr Nicholas Hitimana, noted that lack of enough materials had hampered the company’s efforts to boost their export capacity.“We had secured enough market in UK, South Africa and France for our products for the next five years. We have commitments from our buyers to buy our products; but securing land to grow our raw materials to meet the required quantity is still our major challenge,” Hitimana explained.Ikirezi produces oils from local plants including geranium, lemongrass, eucalyptus and patchouli mainly for export. The oils are mainly used in making perfumes and pharmaceuticals.
