By Steven Godfrey Mkweteza
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Ministry of Trade has asked Malawians to develop a culture of buying locally produced products so as to propel economic growth through foreign exchange earnings
Trade Minister, Simplex Chithyola, made the appeal in Blantyre on Friday during the stakeholders’ discussions on exploring avenues on promoting the buy Malawi products strategy that was introduced in the country in the year 2016.
The minister said even though the country was doing fine towards achieving the buy Malawian products strategy, there was a need to change the mindset of most Malawians on the need to cultivate a culture of buying locally produced products.
“As we are moving towards the finishing line of the buy Malawian products strategy one, It is pleasing nowadays to see many shops stocking locally made products such as bottled drinking water. This indicates our strides in promoting our local products,
“However, this is not enough as some other stakeholders still have an appetite to import the same products, hence, draining our forex earnings,” said the minister.
According to the minister, the country would continue to become a dumping ground for foreign products if the populace continue having an appetite for foreign products.
Of course, we are aware of various factors that are promoting an appetite for foreign products. These include the pricing, standards, and quality of the products.
However, we are making strategies to ensure that we address these so as to make our local products attractive both on the local and international markets,” said Chithyola.
Institute of Marketing in Malawi (IMM) president Isabel Kachinjika, highlighted the standards and quality as crucial aspects towards achieving the aspirations of the buy Malawian products strategy.
Kachinjika urged the government to formulate deliberate policies aimed at promoting small businesses to attract many players to bring about competitiveness in locally produced products.
According to her, an unfavorable business environment was slinking the local businesses’ growth, hence, making an influx of foreign products.
“We need products that meet the client’s demands and also be competitive both in local and international markets.
“But these can be far achieved if the operating environment is not conducive for the growth of the local businesses,” she said
Kachinjika said the review of the buy Malawian products strategy one was crucial to identify the gaps that would make the implementation of the buy Malawian products two a success.
MIM organized the forum in partnership with the Ministry of Trade to mobilize views from the marketing experts on how to make the buy Malawian products strategy two a success.
