Malawi-Mozambique move to enhance trade  

The Malawi Consulate in Tete and the Mozambican Confederation of Economic Association plan to hold a joint business forum aimed to spur trade between the two countries, the local investment promotion agency has announced.

Through the forum, which is scheduled for March 28 to 30 at Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe, the two countries will be exploring investment and trade opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, transport, energy and mineral resources.

Malawi Investment Trade Centre (Mitc) chief executive officer Paul Kwengwere in a statement made available to Business News on Thursday described the forum as a perfect opportunity for our business people to interact and network with their counterparts in Mozambique.

“There are a lot of business opportunities that Malawi can take advantage of in Mozambique, especially when it comes to supply of various goods and also some opportunities that we as Malawi can explore in Mozambique,” he said.

According to Kwengwere, the forum will feature presentations on key business opportunities in Malawi and Mozambique as well as networking sessions.

This far, about 15 business people from Mozambique have confirmed their participation to the forum, according to Kwengwere.

Chamber for small scale businesses president James Chiutsi said in an interview that such business forums are beneficial for the country as well as businesses.

He, however, implored government to assist local businesses with packaging costs, indicating that packaging has become more expensive than the products themselves, which makes most businesses fail to ably market themselves during such forums.

As part of enhancing trade with other countries, local businesses in the country will also have a chance to participate in the 62nd Zimbabwe International Trade Fair slated for April 26 to 30.

This is another opportunity for Malawian businesses to identify potential buyers of their products, but also a learning platform on how best they can adapt to the ever changing global business environment.