Zimpapers Logo

The Herald, 6 March 1985
ALTHOUGH Dunlop Zimbabwe is working flat-out to produce tyres, the general countrywide shortage will probably continue until mid-1985, the company’s general marketing manager (tyres), Mr Gerry Taylor, said yesterday.

He was welcoming about 30 delegates to a tyre service and maintenance course at Dunlop’s Bulawayo headquarters.

The recent critical shortage of truck and car tyres in Zimbabwe had resulted from the company’s inability to obtain raw materials due to foreign currency problems.

Mr Taylor said Dunlop had recently become involved in a Netherlands aid agreement, whereby the company could use aid funds to buy natural rubber.

During January and February, Dunlop had produced 15 000 truck tyres compared with about 3 000 in the same period in 1983 and 1984.

With the economy set to take off after a good rainy season and the expected heavy deployment of security forces during the election period, a heavy demand for tyres was anticipated which would contribute to the general shortage of tyres for other businesses.

Mr Taylor said because of the great demand for tyres, it was probable Dunlop would only be able to overcome the shortage by the middle of the year.

The seminar is being attended by representatives from retreading companies, the Central Mechanical Equipment Department, the army, AA Willowvale Motor Industries, Harare Polytechnic and sales representatives.

LESSONS FOR TODAY
The current shortage of foreign currency on the market is of grave concern for big companies, including those that sell motor vehicle sundries.

The primary routes for earning foreign currency is through exports to countries open to trade with you. Productivity should therefore be encouraged by small, medium and large scale enterprises.

Another way the country can accumulate foreign currency reserves is for it to become an attractive business destination for tourists and foreign businesses. Through the engagement and re-engagement policy the country also came up with the “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” mantra — a proactive way of opening all avenues for business.

Foreign exchange crises are not unique to Zimbabwe as the global economy is tanking due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What differs is the nature, extend and coverage of the currency turmoil and, we have seen the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe taking measures to control and stabilise this crisis.

Mobilisation of foreign currency from Diasporans, by encouraging them to invest home and participating in certain economic activities is also key, and Zimbabwe has been doing that through various facilities such as Homelink.

For historical information contact:
Zimpapers Knowledge Centre at Herald House on:
  +263 8677 004323;
+263 0242 795771
E-mail: [email protected]