Minister of Information and Communications Technology Nicholas Dausi has expressed dismay over the growing tendency by some foreign companies operating in the country to import products at the expense of local ones.
Dausi said this yesterday when he presided over the official opening of a financial and economic workshop his ministry organised in Mangochi for government and private reporters.
His advice came after observing that most of the products such as tea and coffee that were placed in the room which he lodged at Sun n’ Sand Resort are imported.
In an interview Dausi said it does not make sense for the companies to continue importing products when they are available locally.
“Let me emphasise the need for companies, hotels, restaurants operating in the country to stop shunning Malawi goods or products in favour of imported ones. This is not on and it defeats government’s Buy Malawi initiative,”
He said Malawi has good products in Mzuzu Coffee, Chombe Tea and Malawi honey; hence, it is deplorable for companies to leave such tasty products and for the very same in other countries.
The minister encouraged Malawians and companies to use local products as one way of promoting the country’s products.
Turning to the workshop, Dausi said it was important as it would equip reporters with skills and knowledge concerning financial matters. n