Appetite for imported goods failing Buy Malawi Strategy

By Noel Mkwaila

The Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) says its random survey has unveiled that many local consumers consider imported goods as being of higher quality, a tendency which is hindering the “Buy Malawi Strategy” from meeting its goal.

MCCCI’s Head of Membership Development and Communications Tione Kafumbu said the Malawi Government needs to scale up sensitization campaigns on the strategy to support growth of local industry.

Kafumbu said: “The awareness campaign should focus on convincing local consumers on the importance of buying locally produced products. Additionally, government has to be exemplary in its procurement processes through giving local preference to locals, and the general public will adopt the same trend.”

But the Ministry of Trade has differed with MCCCI in a separate interview saying Malawians have responded positively to the strategy such that local producers are easily finding a market for their products.

Spokesperson in the Ministry Mayeso Msokera said the exercise has also encouraged local producers to start producing goods of high quality to substitute foreign products.

He also said the strategy has assisted local manufactures to find markets for their products in other countries across Africa, Europe and Asia.

Msokera said the strategy is benefiting locals at producer, consumer and government levels.

He said: “Our producers are able to earn a living since they are able to sell their products, and consumers are now being supplied with goods of high quality hence government is able to collect more revenue in form of taxes.”

“The Ministry assesses each and every product to ensure that it meets our standards.”

The Ministry of Trade has since called on companies and industries to register with the Buy Malawi Strategy for them to start making progress in their operations.