adminThe company was forced to abandon exports in the 1990s by economic challenges which hit the country.
Founded in 1943, Unilever Zimbabwe is a subsidiary of British-Dutch multinational, Unilever, the world’s third-largest consumer goods manufacturer by revenue.
Its main products in Zimbabwe are soaps and foodstuffs such as sunlight, Omo, Geisha, and Stork Margarine respectively.
Mrs Guzha told New Ziana that the company’s local production had increased to allow a resumption of exports into the region.
“Later this year, we will resume exports to Zambia, Malawi among others. Some products we were importing during the difficult time are now being produced locally since 2009,” she said.
“We are actually working on a three-year product development plan that will see Unilever returning to what we used to do in the 1990s,” Mrs Guzha said.
The company is one of the country’s largest manufacturing businesses, and has a bright export potential.
But a combination of lack of affordable credit, inconsistent power supplies and other factors are holding Unilever and other companies back.
As an industry, the manufacturing sector is currently operating at 45,5 percent capacity utilisation, down from 57 percent last year, due to these challenges.
Unilever Zimbabwe employs more than 700 workers, both permanently and on contract. — New Ziana
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter