by Christopher Makaza.

The country`s biggest shoe maker, Bata yesterday opened a new branch in Banket,  Mashonaland West Province as part of its target to open new markets in  growth points and small towns across the country.

Banket branch will service areas like Mutorashanga, Raffingora Mapinga Trelawney and other surrounding areas in Zvimba District.

Last year, the Gweru based footwear manufacturer opened 12 stores, which includes new branches in Arundel, Mabelreign and Masvingo among others. In 2016 the company also opened its doors in Norton, Murambinda and High Glen.

Refurbishment and modernisation of Bata Stores began in 2012 beginning with the facelift of its Leopold Takawira Branch in Harare in line with international best practices.

In January 2018, Bata managing director, Mr Ehsan Zaman said, “Opening new outlets would ensure that the company increases its market share.  We are investing more in the business because we now see a positive environment with the coming in of the new Government.”

Bata is the biggest shoemaker in the country producing over three million pairs of shoes annually and employs more than 1 000 workers.

Big companies continue to show interest in investing in Zimbabwe as President Emmerson Mnangagwa continues with his Zimbabwe is open for business mantra. In June this year, President Mnangagwa commissioned Pepsi, a $30 million Varun Beverages plant in Harare where he called for more foreign companies to be part of the country’s new economic drive aimed at upgrading people’s living standard and creating a middle class economy by 2030. Other companies that established in Zimbabwe under the new dispensation include BAIC motor cooperation in Mutare and Surface Wilmar in Chitungwiza among others.

This is contrary to what detractors are saying in their efforts to paint a picture that Zimbabwe`s economy is not safe for investors and has totally collapsed. MDC Alliance Deputy Chairperson, Tendai Biti is one of such Government critics who claimed that the country`s economy is at stand still. Biti was quoted in one of the daily papers as saiying, “The chickens are coming home to roost. The economic depression is simply imploding, companies are shutting down…”