MCCCI describes 2017 Malawi International Trade Fair a success
The Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) has described the just ended 29th Malawi International Trade Fair as a success.
In an interview with the Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Wednesday, MCCCI Chief Operations Officer, Chimwemwe Luhanga said the turn up was good and consistent with the patronage in the previous years.
Luhanga said MCCCI has recorded a patronage in excess of 25,000 for both adults and school learners which compares well with the range of 23,000 to 30,000 in the previous years.
“The Fair provided an opportunity for businesses to share experiences which can be translated into productivity. Furthermore, companies planning to export their goods obtained first hand information from foreign exhibitors on the business environment and opportunities obtainable in their respective countries,” explained Luhanga.
Luhanga added that the successes encountered have met the objectives of the trade fair including; consolidating relationships between exhibitors and their existing customers, providing a platform for exhibitors to meet new and potential customers, conducting of market research and gaining market insights of the market.
He said exhibitors had an opportunity to have customers sample their products citing an example of Nali Limited who displayed their products called Nali Gold and Nali Premium which are now destined for export.
“Lilongwe Dairy also sampled their new product branded More which will go on the market shortly and this is in line with the theme of the trade fair which was; productivity: a source of export competitiveness,” said Luhanga.
He also pointed out that the Fair covered the aspect of information dissemination which saw business persons taken through Fair Trading Concepts by the Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Malawi Stock Exchange providing information which it avails to businesses to raise capital through issuance of equity and debt.
The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism jointly with Opportunity Bank of Malawi also provided information on how Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) can excel in their businesses.
The Malawi Investment and Trade Center provided information on export enquiries which they have received so that businesses can take advantage of the same.
“Linkages were established between Malawian, Zimbabwean and Zambian leather product players. Malawi sources its leather and shoe soles from the two countries,” said Luhanga who added that the Trade Fair was generally smooth and that the minor challenges encountered were addressed in the course of the event.
Luhanga said that the next event would be the Lilongwe Trade Fair which will run from 27th to 30th July to grant businesses from the Central and Northern Region who could not attend the International Trade Fair an opportunity to showcase their products and services.
The 29th Malawi International Trade Fair which ended on 4 June, was officially opened on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 by President Arthur Peter Mutharika.
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