Industrial parks delayirks stakeholders
Industry captains have expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) that government announced three years ago, saying there is nothing on the ground this far.
The Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) said the idea is critical to the industrialisation drive as it creates an environment that suits establishment and growth of industrial areas, “and the delay is frustrating to the industry”.
MCCCI president Wisely Phi r i , r e sponding to a questionnaire ahead of the ongoing International Trade Fair, said the private sector players received the news of industrial parks with excitement as they anticipated the boom of innovation, collaboration and productivity, but the excitement wilted and they have seen nothing more than mere talking.
Phiri said: “Industrial parks are a great initiative as they create environments that foster collaboration and innovation by providing a location where the government, the private sector, universities and research institutes can collaborate as well as conduct and commercialise research and reinforce entrepreneurship.
“These are usually located in zones that are not within the central residential area of a city. Malawi can utilise industrial park to foster manufacturing and promote production rather than importation.
“Unfortunately, as of now we still do not have much to show as a country. We have areas designated as industrial parks but with little or nothing to show on the ground.”
Recently, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament queried the Ministry of Trade and Industry on the slow progress in the establishment of SEZs and the use of about K2 billion on the project.
T h r o u g h t h e M a l a w i Investment and Trade Centre ( M i t c ) , the ministr y i s implementing several projects under SEZ such as Chigumula Industrial Park in Blantyre, Area 55 Industrial Park in Lilongwe and Dunduzu Industrial Park in Mzuzu.
PAC chairperson Mark Botomani said the committee was concerned with the slow progress on the issue, despite resources being provided.
But in a response to the queries sent to Parliament, Ministry of Trade and Industry principal secretary Christina Zakeyu said they have now sent a status report to the Auditor General on how these funds were used.
She said: “I am pleased to report that the Chigumula Industrial Park project has made significant progress as designs for access roads and waste water infrastructure and layout plans were done and submitted to Blantyre District Council for approval.”
Speaking during the opening of the 34th Malawi International Trade Fair on Thursday, Minister of Trade and Industry Sosten Gwengwe said the SEZs law has been passed in Parliament, unlocking the commencement of implementation activities which will soon see the development of the industrial parks.
When completed, the SEZs are expected to help foreign direct investors to set up companies with minimal challenges, according to the Mitc.
