Malawi strategically positioned to capitalise on trade—minister
Minister of Trade and Industry Sosten Gwengwe has urged small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to capitalise on trade opportunities in regional markets.
The call comes after Common Market for East and Southern Africa (Comesa) called on member States to prioritise reforms that facilitate value-addition and collaboration in strategic sectors such as mining and agriculture.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the Comesa summit in Bujumbura, Burundi on Friday, the heads of State called on member States to leverage existing initiatives such as the regional food balance sheet programme and the regional enterprise competitiveness and access to markets programme to boost their competitiveness and productivity in regional markets.
Reads the communiqué in part: “We further encourage member States and the private sector to work together to build the capacity of local mining companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises involved in value-addition activities and processing minerals.”
In an interview yesterday, Gwengwe expressed confidence that Malawi is already “strategically aligned and positioned” to capitalise on the opportunities provided in the regional bloc because the country has already prioritised agriculture, mining and tourism in its growth and development strategies.
Scotland-based Malawian economist Velli Nyirongo, in an interview yesterday, urged the government to establish dedicated training and support programmes to build SMEs capacity to meet the quality and regional standards required by Comesa.
