MAPUTO, Aug. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Mozambique's first tobacco processing factory will start operation early next year in cental Tete province thus to end its dependence on Malawi to process the crop, local media reported on Thursday.

    With an annual capacity of about 50,000 tons its processed tobacco will be exported to the United States, Europe and Asia.

    The factory is owned by the Mozambican Leaf Tobacco Company andconstructed by the South African company Grinaker.

    Construction of the factory, at a cost of 53 million US dollars,has already generated about 700 jobs, and a further 3,500 jobs areexpected when it starts operating. Enditem