Calcutta, Aug 26 :     Bata International has appointed Bata India?s managing director, Keith Weston, as the global shoe giant?s regional coordinator for business operations in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The four countries are understood to have been put into a separate zone carved out from the multinational?s south Asian region, which includes Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Weston, who was due to retire in September, has apparently been given a two-year extension by the Bata International board. He is likely to continue as India chief as well until the BSO?s Compass board names his successor. Keith Weston may continue to operate from India as the regional coordinator. With India being the biggest market in the new zone, it will probably serve as Bata?s regional headquarter. The managing directors of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka are likely to report to him. Weston is now in Singapore to meet the chief of south Asian operations. Company spokesperson M.J.Z.Mowla was not available for comment. Bata International considers its Indian operations important to its global plans and the decision to carve up a new zone is a strategic move in that direction. Weston, deputy managing director Mike Middleton and marketing chief Edward Tkachuk have played a pivotal role in extricating Bata India from the financial mess when they took over from the Indian management.