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Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
BULAWAYO companies have been challenged to emulate the commitment and innovation shown by Archer Clothing, which is creating employment when others are firing workers. Speaking after touring the company yesterday,Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo said the city needs aggressive companies such as Archer Clothing if it was to revive industries.

The Minister’s tour is part of her industry assessment initiative to establish challenges and opportunities for the city’s industries.

Minister Moyo lauded Archer Clothing for employing locals saying this will go a long way in addressing the city’s unemployment challenges.

She said the company’s commitment is what Bulawayo needs if it is to revive its status as the country’s industrial hub.

“What I saw today is a determined factory addressing issues to do with unemployment. They’re determined to do their best and they’re employing young people. That’s encouraging because we want to see our youths working,” she said.

Minister Moyo said despite limited resources, the company was creating new jobs.

She said it was encouraging to note that the company intends to increase its workforce from the present 600 workers to 900.

The minister said it was important for the country to increase cotton production so that raw materials needed by the clothing industry are produced locally instead of importing as is the case now.

“Fundamentally we need to do more in our cotton industry. We’ve all the resources that are needed. We can process the cotton locally,” said the Minister.

Archer Clothing managing director David Lasker said passion and commitment is what makes the company tick.

He said by March next year they want to increase their workforce to 900 workers.

“We’ve a staff complement of 670 workers and we’re hoping to employ about 900 people during the first quarter of next year. Most of our challenges are being dealt with at industry level,” he said.