Malawi SMEs want local support
Some small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) have expressed concern with lack of support from locals, saying Malawians do not purchase locally produced products.
Speaking in an interview, Miriam Kamoto, managing director of a firm that specialises in exterior and interior decorations and art work, Tayamiko Investments, said most Malawians do not support SMEs as they are hesitant to buy local products.
“There have been campaigns urging Malawians to buy local products, but we still have a long way to go to achieve this,” said Kamoto.
The entrepreneur, who has been running her business for over eight years, said most of her products are bought by foreigners.
“SMEs cannot fully depend on international buyers because they come once in a while. Time has come for local people to embrace, support and believe in our products,” she said.
Ndirande Leather Association chairperson Feston Chiwaya agreed with Kamoto that most Malawians have not built trust in local products.
“The shoes that we make are even more durable than the imported shoes but people opt to buy the imported shoes. Fifty years after independence, Malawians should have started supporting and believing in local products but that is not the case,” he said.
Chiwaya said most local customers who buy local products impose their own prices.
“It is rare to see a Malawian bargaining on a price of products in an Asian shop or any shop selling imported goods. They think imported items are better than the local products,” he said.
According to a recent study by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), SMs contribute over 50 percent of employment in the region.
It is estimated that there are about six million SMEs in Eastern and Southern operating in various sectors, however, SMEs continue to face various challenges in their operations and they are usually not highly regarded in the society.
Economists argue that SMEs which contribute substantially to the national economy in terms of gross domestic product (GDP), have the potential of turning around the country’s economy within the next few years if the environment in which they operate in is conducive for business and are accorded the space to operate.
