By MIMBOLWA MULIKELELA –

ZAMLEATHER a division of Zambeef Products has pledged to explore the regional markets in a bid to keep pace with competition across Southern Africa.

The company, which makes the Kaleza Z-12 leather soccer boot, as well as its popular little bwana school shoes, and safety boots, has been inspired by the market opportunities to provide substitutes for imported products within Zambia following a visit to Lusaka last week by members of the South African Footwear and Leather Export Council (SAFLEC).

The company already exports leather and shoes to Zimbabwe and recently developed a range of finished leathers for a South African footwear manufacturer, which it started exporting to Cape Town last month.

Zamleather general manager Richard Franklin said the exhibition by manufacturers of shoes and components has encouraged the company to further explore the possibilities of exporting Zambian made shoes to countries elsewhere in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Zamleather manufactures the Zamshu brand footwear.

“By working with our colleagues elsewhere in the region – particularly in South Africa – we can add value to our products in Zambia by sourcing duty-free components such as labels, laminates and soles,” Mr Franklin said.

In a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Franklin said there are possibilities to take advantage of knowledge transfer and train Zambian staff in South Africa, helping to bolster the industry and generate further employment.

SAFLEX board member Dave Bromfield said Zambia should be part of the Southern African market saying that it needs capital investment to be more competitive.

South Africa exported 702,201 pairs of shoes, worth K32 million to Zambia in 2013, making Zambia the second largest export market for that country’s footwear after Zimbabwe.

South Africa’s total shoes exports worldwide amounted to 3.2 million pairs worth K176 million last year, up by 18.3 per cent compared with the previous year.