Castel for favourable business environment
Castel Malawi has called on the government to create a conducive environment for doing businesses if local companies are to grow and contribute substantially to growth of the economy.
The call was made over the weekend in Blantyre when the company unveiled three flavours of its alcoholic cider Booster.
The new Booster flavours include Mojito, Blush and Banana Mama.
Speaking during the event, Castel Malawi Managing Director Herve Milhade said the business environment remained volatile.
He cited high taxes and rising cases of smuggling of goods among key challenges the industry was facing.
He said this made locally-made products less competitive on the market.
“If we want to develop the local industry, we have to make it competitive. So, we need help on that side and what we want is that the government should curb smuggling of goods and make taxes affordable. This will help not only us as a business but also the government in terms of revenue collection and [the creation of] employment,” he said.
Minister of Industry Roy Kachale graced the occasion and admitted that smuggling was affecting local businesses.
He, however, assured the firm that the government, through its various agencies and departments, was working tirelessly to curb the malpractice.
“We have put up a special committee comprising officials from the ministries of Trade and Industry, Local Government authorities, security and other ministries which will oversee the process of curbing the problem. I also want to urge Malawians to refrain from buying smuggled products,” he said.
Justin Mkweu is a fast growing reporter who currently works with Times Group on the business desk.
He is however flexible as he also writes about current affairs and national issues.
