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The Bulawayo-based company last week scooped the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) first run up award in the exports category.
The prestigious trophy was given to the company during the CZI annual conference that was held in Inyanga, Manicaland Province.
In an interview yesterday Dunlop managing director Mr Kennedy Mandevani said he was elated that his company had won the award.
He said business at the giant tyre manufacturer has improved significantly compared to last year.
“We have won the trophy on the exports category and it is sitting in my office. We are happy that our efforts on generating exports are being recognised by the authorities in the country,” said Mr Mandevani.
“We do most of our exports to South Africa and Zambia. South Africa is coming in a big way and it is strict on quality and standards. We are glad to be associated with the market that emphasises quality and standards.”
Mr Mandevani said his company was working on diversifying its operations in a bid to broaden its market base.
“Our viability as a company is improving from where we were last year. We are also diversifying our business in order to capture both the local and external market. We are now looking towards expanding our business to other countries,” he said.
Dunlop restored normal working hours early this year due to increased demand for its products from foreign markets after a long slump in business in past years due to operational constraints.
At the height of the economic crisis the company had resorted to using a two-week working arrangement.
A majority of companies in Bulawayo are still operating below capacity while others have closed shop and relocated to Harare due to financial challenges.
During the conference, captains of industry implored Government to deal decisively with economic issues and come up with concrete measures of resuscitating the country’s industries.
They commended proposals for an inclusive cluster programme and underscored the need to enhance competitiveness in the agriculture sector and harnessing of minerals to attract capital.
Some of the resolutions of the conference bordered around the need for fiscal discipline and policy consistency by Government, mobilisation of credit lines and infrastructure development.
CZI also recommended that private players be allowed to import electricity.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter