By Benadetta Chiwanda Mia:
Malawi has been engaged to leverage opportunities and commence trading under the Guided Trade Initiatives (GTIs) within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market.
Malawi ratified the AfCFTA in January 2021, creating a free trade arrangement among African countries. It is aimed at facilitating intra-African trade by eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Trade and Industry indicated that Malawi would start trading under the GTI from October 2024. The date was shifted to next month.
Ministry of Trade Chief Trade in Services Officer Ezilon Chirambo said six companies—namely Press Cane Limited, H Adams, Mzuzu Coffee, Temwanani Agro-Foods, Admarc, and DEK Engineering and Electrical Contractor Private Limited—are being prioritized having attended the GTIs Fair.
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He was speaking during media training on the AfCFTA in Blantyre on Thursday.
“These companies have expressed interest and we are actively engaging them to identify how we can assist in addressing specific challenges to facilitate their participation in the trading framework,” Chirambo stated.
He said some of the engaged companies have reported high transport costs, poor road infrastructure and delays at ports and borders among significant barriers to effective market access.
He said the GTI is designed to support companies in navigating the trading framework, and Malawi is actively identifying businesses that can participate.
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“There are several protocols in place, including the Trade in Goods Protocol, Trade in Services Protocol, Digital Trade Protocol, and the Protocol on Investment, all aimed at boosting intra-African trade, which will, in turn, enhance economic activities for Malawi and the region,” he said.
Debora Ndalama Ntawali, a lecturer in language rights and linguistics at Mzuzu University, emphasised the importance of translating trade policies and frameworks into local languages for better comprehension among business stakeholders and the general public.
“Malawi is advancing towards exporting to generate much needed forex revenue, and one way to ensure this is by involving everyone. However, people can only get involved if they understand the things,” she said.
She called for the media, policymakers, and stakeholders to take the lead in simplifying and translating information about the AfCFTA for broader public understanding.
The AfCFTA represents the largest single market after the WTO, encompassing 55 member countries and boasting a population of 1.3 billion people with a combined gross domestic product of $3.4 trillion. This presents an ideal opportunity for countries like Malawi to expand their market access and enhance trade activities.
