Kolkata: The net profit of Bata India for the year ended December 31, 2007, stood at Rs 47.4 crore as compared to Rs 40.1 crore in the previous year, registering a rise of 18.15 per cent.

Total income of the company during the period stood at Rs 890.8 crore as against Rs 797.3 crore in the same period previous year. Bata India managing director Marcelo Villagran said that improved financial performance was a result of sustained efforts made by the company.

He said that the company was on an aggressive growth path and had implemented forward looking initiatives like investments in large format stores. Towards this, Bata had adopted an ambitious strategy of opening 70 stores every year for the next few years.

The board declared a dividend of 20 per cent, inclusive of five per cent additional dividend.

Source : PTI