Private Sector Delighted with Country’s Improved Energy Production
The Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) has implored government to continue making strides in improving the energy sector.
Speaking at the official opening of this year’s International Trade Fair at Chichiri Trade Fair Grounds in Blantyre presided over by the Malawi leader President Lazarus Chakwera, MCCCI president Lekani Katandula said the private
sector is equally delighted with government’s effort to end power blackouts in the country adding that improved energy is a key to industrialization and in boosting the country’s economy.
“We are happy to see Kapichira back to its full capacity, and we hope this will help drive our economy forward,” he said.
Katandula further challenged local manufacturers to produce competitive and quality products fit for export and support the development of industrialization.
He disclosed that Malawi was ranked 125th in 2010 among the world’s industrialized countries; hence the need to produce competitive and quality goods.
Echoing the sentiments was the Minister of Trade and Industry, Simplex Chithyola Banda, who commended the
newly constructed state-of-theart laboratory facility of Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS), saying the facility will enable certification of products for local manufacturers, thereby increasing the country’s export base.
Banda therefore revealed that in June this year, Malawian traders will have an opportunity to showcase their agriculture produce, such as beans, soya beans, and pigeon peas, among other products, in China at a China Export Trade Fair.
In his remarks, President Lazarus Chakwera urged trade agencies such as MBS to cut off bureaucracy in vetting processes when issuing trade documents and certification for local investors.
The Malawi leader further implored the private sector to be proactive in order to produce competitive and high-quality goods to be able to compete on the international market.
“Business is about competition. You must compete in order to win,” he said.
Chakwera further hailed Electricity Generation Company (EGENCO) engineers for their efforts in bringing back the
Kapichira power plant that was swept away by Cyclone Anna last year and their efforts in reducing persistent power blackouts.
The 33rd Malawi International Trade Fair was held under the theme: Rebalancing Malawi’s Trade Through Industrialization.
