The recent Tokyo International Conference on African Development (Ticad 7) is touted to have helped boost Malawi’s exports following orders of various local products worth $1.7 million (about K1.2 billion).
A statement from the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) says that the most sought after products include macadamia nuts, tea, coffee, baobab powder and honey.
It further says Malawi used the Ticad 7 platform to tap her investment opportunities from which MITC managed to generate at least 15 investor leads with investors showing interest to visit Malawi and explore further investment opportunities in energy, water, manufacturing, agriculture, ICT and education sectors.
MITC Public Relations Manager, Deliby Chimbalu, said Malawi’s attendance at the Ticad 7 conference was beneficial, having managed to get serious orders of some of the products that were displayed on Malawi’s booth.
“We are working with local producers of such products to link them up with the potential buyers in Japan for possible export deals.’ Chimbalu said.
Ticad is global platform through which Asian and African nations as well as international stakeholders collaborate to promote Africa’s development.
The forum aims at mobilising and sustaining international support for Africa’s development under the principles of African ownership and international partnership.
Ticad 7 was held under the premise of enhancing trade and investment between Africa and Japan.
The event, held every 3 years, is convened alternately in Japan and Africa since 2016.
