Government has implored local business players including farmers to embrace value addition if the country is to grow and compete on the international market.
Trade and Industry Minister Sosten Gwengwe made the appeal in an interview with ProjectM.
Gwengwe said for instance, business players in the country, including farmers are losing a lot of money through a lack of meaningful investment in value addition on their products.
He said time has come for farmers to embrace value addition on their harvests in a quest to fetch higher profits both locally and internationally.
“As a ministry, we believe time has come for Malawian farmers to produce high quality products that can penetrate international markets or at least the regional markets,” said Gwengwe.
The minister said the ministry has put in place strategies for farmers and other producers to exploit.
“The government of Malawi has several trade agreements signed under the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) which we believe the business sector can exploit,” said Gwengwe.
He has since called on local business players to consult the ministry for any trade advice.
“As we strive to achieve the Agenda 2063, we hope the business sector will not be left behind,” he added.
Lilongwe-based business person, Abel Kafera-Banda has since applauded the ministry for opening it’s doors to business players.
“As a small-scale business operator, I am eager to work hand-in-hand with the ministry and see on how we can achieve success as a country,” said Kafera-Banda.
