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Maize bans maize exports

Government through the Ministry of Industry and Trade has announced an export ban of all maize and maize-related products.

In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by the Secretary for Industry and Trade Newby Kumwembe, the ban also means that all export licences issued by the Ministry have, therefore, been “declared null and void.”

“As such, any person found exporting maize and maize products shall be prosecuted in accordance with the Control of Goods Act Cap. 18:08 of the Laws of Malawi,” said Kumwembe in the statement.

The ban comes just a day after President Bingu wa Mutharika cautioned Malawians against careless selling of maize during this lean period, advising them to wait and sell their maize after observing how the harvest this season would be.

Mutharika who was speaking during the installation of T/A Tsabango also told the people to expose those exporting maize out of this country, saying it has been observed that whenever Admarc has maize stocks, some traders come to buy all the grain to sell it outside the country.

Analysts have said despite years of surplus harvest, during the December 2011 to March 2012 period some Malawians will face food shortages.

Admarc recently announced a price hike of K40 per kilogramme of maize to K60 per kilogramme, representing 50 percent hike.

Kumwembe said in view of the ban all maize exporters, Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) and other facilitators should adhere to the requirement.

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