adminRejoice Mberengwa Business Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN mobile handsets maker, Astro Mobile will engage 1,000 individual agents to market its products countrywide as part of its empowerment programme.
Under the programme, the dealers will be offered free booths, marketing material, training and stock to sell at wholesale prices.
The company has already roped in 15 dealers in Bulawayo, 18 in Harare and 10 in Mutare.
National distribution manager, Kelvin Musekiwa said the project, called tora mari/thatha imali (take money), was initiated to empower upcoming entrepreneurs.
“We call this programme Tora mari/Thatha imali campaign for users and people on the ground to make money for themselves and the company. Since we can’t be everywhere, we’ll reach everyone through these dealers,” he said.
“This programme is already in progress in three of our six branches – Bulawayo 15, Harare 18 and Mutare 10. We’ve employed 36 people for the initial stage of the programme.”
Musekiwa said the company would do ground work for the dealers to ensure successful distribution of the products.
He said qualified dealers should be those with a registered shop, identity particulars, proof of residence and a passport size picture of the owner who wants to be an agent.
Astro products are mostly sold to civil servants, members of the public and companies.
Musekiwa admitted there was stiff competition from cheap imported brands and said Astro was working on producing items for low income earners as well.
“We’ve stiff competition from unknown brands and since we’re a brand we might be a bit expensive while people want cheap phones. So we’re working on producing cheaper phones to accommodate everyone,” he said.
Musekiwa said they will be offering seven products for the dealers including Tablets but at the moment they have three – the goat, X5 and X2.
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