UNDP supports Buy Malawi Strategy

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has urged Malawian innovators and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to embrace the Buy Malawi, Build Malawi Agenda to compete favourably on the international market.

UNDP programme coordinator Cinzia Tecce made the remarks in Lilongwe recently during the Market Day of Innovation held under the theme ‘promoting sustainable businesses’, which was organised by the German Government’s development arm GIZ, with funding from UNDP.

She said by showcasing local products, the producers are motivated to uphold standards that make their products competitive on the international market, which may also to replace imports.

Said Tecce: “The Buy Malawi Strategy is a tool designed to propel the consumption of locally-produced goods and services. I urge you to take advantage of it.”

In an interview, German Embassy representative Daniella Bese described the Market Day of Innovation as a great opportunity to promote exports of Malawi products since the enterprises will be able to network and learn how to handle their businesses.

“Through the Market Day of Innovation, the businesses will be able to develop networks, to learn from each other which will help in useful exchanges among businesses that are being developed here,” she said.

One of the participants, Nthawi Farms, an SME that promotes organic farming of both livestock and crops, expressed concern over Malawians’ resistance to support local products.

Nthawi Farms representative Clement Kenneth said local businesses face the challenge of penetrating markets as Malawians take time to embrace new products.

He said: “Embracing change is one of the biggest challenges that we face. People are not ready to go organic since they are used to synthetic farming. Communities are brainwashed into thinking that by using organic they will harvest less than using the synthetic way which will produce more yield, this is just a myth.”

However, Kenneth was optimistic that through the Market Day of Innovation, they will take their business to another level.

The Buy Malawi, Build Malawi Agenda is led by the Ministry of Trade and Industry with support from partners such as UNDP.