Govt to meet irate second hand car dealers
Minister of Trade and Industry Joseph Mwanamvekha has confirmed he is due to meet this week a group of disgruntled second-hand car dealers who are unsettled over a prospective launch of business in the country by Japanese-based company Be Forward.
Mwanamvekha revealed the development in an interview with The Nation on Monday saying he will meet the group following outrage on the proposed deal by the dealers who fear looming damage to their business once the company starts operations.
“We received their request for an appointment and we have accommodated them because government believes their issues are also issues of Malawi government. We are meeting later in the week where we would like to hear their concerns,” said the minister.
However, Mwanamvekha appealed for patience and expressed optimism that the talks will be fruitful.
“Until we meet, the ministry would refrain from taking a position on the matter because we believe such a meeting can help usunderstand the challenges better but also enable us to come up with a way forward.
“Certainly, they (dealers) have made their case known and clear in the various media; from radio, television and newspapers interviews but only face to face meeting can help us appreciate better their position. So as government, we are fully aware of the challenges,”said Mwanamvekha.
Secretary for the Lilongwe group Kumbukani Mbiza also confirmed the meeting, saying the dealers will utilise the meeting to remind government of its obligations to the Malawian taxpayer.
