Trade portal making strides in trade promotion
The Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (Mitc) says there has been a positive response from the private sector on the use of the trade information portal despite unexploited potential on its use.
Mitc director for planning and research Felix Kadewere said this at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre yesterday at a meeting with stakeholders on how to promote and improve the portal.
The information trade portal provides trade related regulatory information on import, export and trade transit to assist companies in crossborder trade in line with the National Export Strategy (NES).
Kadewere said the increase in the number of visits on the portal since its launch in 2015 to 85 000 in the first eight months is an indication of the positive response from the private sector.
He however said the focus of the private sector has been inward to satisfy the domestic market.
“Our export composition is still dominated by crops and the prices are not that stable, that is why government is focusing on value addition so that we have dynamic prices in line with the demand and ensure dynamic export earnings,” said Kadewere.
Speaking on behalf of the private sector, Mulli Brothers Limited (MBL), Holdings group finance director Gilton Chakhaza said the use of the portal has been positive.
He however said there is room for improvement as not many people know what the portal offers.
International trade centre project manager Martin Lopez said the use of the trade portal though on the increase is dominated by local users and urged government to make the website more popular for foreign investors to attract substantial investment.
