By Wezzie Gausi:
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has said small-scale traders play a critical role of fostering economic development.
Trade Minister Sosten Gwengwe was speaking during the Cross Border Traders Network for Eastern and Southern Africa (CBTNESA) launch and exhibition conference on Wednesday in Lilongwe.
He said small-scale traders help in driving growth, creating job opportunities and generating income for individuals and communities through the exchange of goods and services.
He said trade also stimulates intra-regional trade and enhances regional integration efforts which is at the core of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa integration agenda.
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“…moreover, small-scale trade promotes cultural exchange and understanding, as it enables people from different nations to interact with one another.
“Specifically, the Malawi 2063 vision considers private sector dynamism as an enabler for an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation and cross border traders form a significant part of a dynamic and vibrant private sector that can effectively contribute to socio-economic development,” Gwengwe said.
CBTNESA President Goodson Mbewe said collaboration is key to cross border trade.
He said through the network, countries will be working together in addressing challenges.
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“We are now working on finding one common market for all traders in the region to be taking their products there. Our plea has always been that the government should help us on issues of tax and other fees we pay when doing our business. When the taxes are high, most traders prefer using uncharted roots, which is not good,” Mbewe said.
This is the first ever meeting that has brought small-scale traders from different countries together.
Present at the meeting were traders from Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, among other nations across Comesa.
