Strong negotiating skills key to bilateral trade deals—Ministry
Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism says least-developed countries such as Malawi require technical expertise and analytical information to effectively secure the best outcomes from trade negotiations and economic agreements.
The Ministry’s spokesperson Mayeso Msokera said in a statement that trade negotiations by their nature are complex and broad; hence, require top notch skills.
The development comes as the ministry, with support from partners, is working to improve its trade negotiation capacity to ensure Malawi reaps intended benefits from trade and economic agreements.
He said: “It is, therefore, our expectation that the capacity building will provide the country’s trade negotiators, the necessary tools and techniques needed for the effective management of future bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.
“This will enable Malawi to harness the full benefits from the trade agreements.”
So far, the capacity building will impact the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA), the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa). National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (Nasfam) acting general manager Richard Petautchere, who participated in the capacity building, said in a written response that the capacity building provides the skills needed to develop appropriate strategies and tactics in the conduct of trade.
