Tema, June 20, GNA - The Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) is to undertake an expansion of its factory at Tema to increase production from its present capacity of 25,000 metric tonnes to 65,000 metric tonnes per annum.

Mr Richard Armaah Tetteh, Managing Director of the CPC at the weekend took delivery of the first consignment of machinery from Germany and Switzerland at the Tema Main Harbour to begin the first phase of the expansion project.

He said the entire project would cost 22 million Euros, while the first phase of the project, which is expected to complete by the end of the year would cost 9.840 million Euros.

The equipment, which came in 19 containers from Europe was made up of winnowers, conveyors and machines for drying, cleaning, roasting, grinding, tempering and bagging beans to process butter into cocoa liquor.

The Managing Director said three more consignments of equipment for the project were expected soon and that the project would be carried out in two phases, adding that, when completed production would shoot up to 65,000 metric tonnes yearly.

He said manufacturers of the equipment were travelling down to assist local engineers at the factory to install the machines. The CPC has won both international and local awards for its quality products.