Zvamaida Murwira, Senior Reporter
WORLD-renowned footwear manufacturer Bata Global has committed to strengthening its competitiveness, improving product quality and creating more jobs in Zimbabwe as it seeks to consolidate and expand its footprint in the country and beyond.
The company’s chief executive officer, Mr Panagiotis Mytaros, committed yesterday after meeting President Mnangagwa at State House in Harare.
Bata Global has decades of experience in footwear and leather manufacturing, with operations in several countries, including Zimbabwe.
Mr Mytaros described his meeting with President Mnangagwa as an honour and said it had been fruitful.
“It is my first time in Zimbabwe, so it was an honour to have time with the President. So, I wanted to thank him for all the things we do here, the support we get. We feel at home, after several years in Zimbabwe, it means a lot to us,” said Mr Mytaros.
He said their discussions focused on business opportunities in Zimbabwe, particularly the potential to strengthen local manufacturing and expand exports.
“We also discussed opportunities in Zimbabwe, not only for Zimbabwe but for manufacturing and exporting outside. Bata is very unique, that is what we try to stress in Zimbabwe, 85% of shoes you find in stores are made in Zimbabwe, raw materials and manufacturing done in Zimbabwe. We appreciate the stability in Zimbabwe and we look forward to more opportunities,” said Mr Mytaros.
He commended the Second Republic for creating a conducive business environment, saying the company was keen to deepen its engagement with Zimbabwe.
“We see Zimbabwe with a very positive spirit. We appreciate the stability that His Excellency, the President and his Government gave us and we look forward to working even closer and to give better shoes to the people and also to the institutions,” he said.
Mr Mytaros said the company’s priority was to continuously improve the quality, design and competitiveness of footwear produced locally.
“For me, the most important thing is that we make our shoes better. The people want better shoes; the people want more stylish shoes. So, the first thing is to establish in Zimbabwe competencies to make better, quality shoes and remain competitive,” he said. He added that strengthening skills development and technical expertise in shoemaking would be critical to achieving this goal while creating more employment opportunities.
“Shoemaking is a very skilled craft, so you need to learn it, we need to have the right people, and ultimately to bring more employment,” he said.
Bata’s operations have provided employment for many Zimbabweans over the years while contributing to the country’s manufacturing sector and Gross Domestic Product.
The global footwear manufacturer and retailer, headquartered in Switzerland, operates in more than 70 countries.
In Zimbabwe, its operations are headquartered in Gweru, Midlands Province, where it runs a major manufacturing plant producing various footwear products, including the rugged Safari boots.
The company has also worked with trade promotion agencies such as ZimTrade to explore opportunities for expanding regional and international leather exports.
Yesterday’s meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, his deputy, Mr George Charamba, and other senior Government officials.
