Marketers push for industry regulation
The Institute of Marketing in Malawi (IMM) has revealed that it has submitted to the government the IMM Bill which aims at regulating the marketing profession in Malawi.
According to IMM Public Relations Director George Damson, the marketing profession has been unregulated and without the backing of Parliament for so long such that, once the bill comes into force, things will improve.
He said his when the institute was donating Covid equipment worth K1.1 million to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in partnership with Galaxy Pharmaceuticals.
Damson was also hopeful that the bill would pass through Parliament and be assented to and gazetted in good time “considering its importance to the marketing profession and the country at large”.
“The Bill is with the government and we are just waiting for it to be passed by Parliament once it is tabled. We have made strides in terms of making sure that it is in good shape and we believe government will do its part in taking it to Parliament ,which will pass it into law,” he said.
Renowned marketer Widdy Nsona expressed joy at the news, saying once it is passed by Parliament and assented to by the President, the new law would protect the marketing profession in Malawi.
He was also hopeful that the law would raise standards of the marketing career so that it could be at par with internationally recognised standards.
“Without any regulation in the marketing profession, the standard of advertising and the calibre of marketing professionals in Malawi have not been at the level we see in other countries.
“The law will also enhance marketing training, regulate and raise marketing standards which in turn will be good for the economy and organisations that rely on marketing to survive,” he said.
IMM was instituted in 2020 after a transition from the Chartered Institute of Marketing of Malawi but was registered as a company in 2019.
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.
