Paidamoyo Chipunza Senior Reporter
INDIAN giant car maker Tata International Limited has pledged to expand its business portfolio in Zimbabwe to include infrastructure development and pharmaceuticals.

Speaking to journalists in Harare yesterday after meeting Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa at his Munhumutapa Offices, Tata chief finance officer Mr Behram Sabawala said his company was looking for long term deals not “quick buck”.

He said Tata was confident the problems the country was facing were temporary.

“We would be very pleased if the economic environment facilitated more growth and development and we are confident that the future will provide us with that opportunity. We have experienced the rest of Africa in a similar situation but we are here for the long term. We are not here for a quick buck so we are patient,” said Mr Sabawala.

He said the visit to VP Mnangagwa was meant to reaffirm their commitment to work in Zimbabwe.

“We have been in Zimbabwe for almost 10 years now and we are here to solidify our commitment with the Zimbabwean Government and the people of Zimbabwe that we are here to stay, to develop and grow,” he said.

Distributors of Tata vehicles in the country Blackwood Hodge Zimbabwe general manager Mr Elliot Shoniwa said Tata had huge plans.

“Currently we are operating in the automotive business as a distributor but our plans are going beyond the automotive business. We want to introduce chemicals. We want to introduce the healthcare division. We want to introduce infrastructure and construction equipment, so we have huge plans,” said Mr Shonhiwa.

He said Tata was confident about Zimbabwe and that explains why it moved into the country at the height of economic challenges.

“Tata showed confidence in this market, bought the current premises, invested at that time. So we have a long term view in terms of our presence in this market,” he said.

 

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