Mozambique pledges support, as fair opens
The 20th National Agriculture Fair opened yesterday in Blantyre, with a pledge by Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi to support Malawi improve trade facilitation by easing movement of goods to its sea ports and make imports and exports competitive.
Speaking at Chichiri Trade Fair grounds when he officially opened the fair alongside President Lazarus Chakwera, he cited various projects that aim at connecting the two countries such as Mozambique-Malawi Power Interconnector, Nacala Corridor railway connection, the Dedza One-Stop Border Post and Nacala Port expansion.
He said: “These projects will enable Malawi to strengthen production and be able to transport the cargo to the sea ports easily to improve trade position.
“The rail project will also benefit Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo as they will be using this trade corridor.”
On his part, Chakweara described the two country’s bilateral relationship as critical considering that Mozambique provides Malawi with strategic connection to the ports of Beira and Nacala.
He hailed the fair’s theme ‘Driving towards export-oriented agriculture through commecialisation and innovation’ as relevant to the country’s economyand the current transportation projects with Mozambique, which will enable easy exports of agricultural produce.
Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Wisely Phiri, while describing the projects the two countries are implementing as critical, said there is need to fast-track their execution to enable the business community benefit.
He said: “In particular, the offer to lease a portion of the Port of Nacala to Malawi is especially noteworthy and deserving of our sincere gratitude.
“The ongoing modernisation of the Port of Nacala supported by substantial investments, will provide Malawi with direct access to the sea and significantly reduce transport cost.”
Phiri said these developments will enhance trade efficiency, improve logistical effectiveness, lower operational costs and expand trade opportunities for Malawi.
He said: “In the spirit of facilitating seamless trade between our countries, I urge both Malawi and Mozambique to expedite the implementation of the simplified trade regime framework and one-stop border post arrangements.
“This initiative is important for reducing trade barriers and ensuring more efficient cross-border commerce, which is essential for the economic growth and integration of our region.”
This year’s National Agriculture fair, which has attracted 170 exhibitors will end tomorrow.
It has attracted three countries; namely, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, including one company from Kenya, according to MCCCI.
Meanwhile, agricultural policy expert Tamani Nkhono Mvula has described the agricultural fair as relevant considering that Malawi is an agro-based economy, but stressed the need to extend the fair to regions and districts to enable more farmers to benefit.
