LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-With just hours to go before the much-anticipated National Product Magazine (NPM) Mid-Year Awards Gala and the launch of its 115th edition, diplomatic buzz is reaching a fever pitch.

Five ambassadors from SADC member states—Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and South Africa—have confirmed their interest in attending the prestigious event set for Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

According to NPM Chief Executive Officer Arthur Chinyamula, preparations are complete for the high-level gathering, which is anchored on one central theme: export-led growth for foreign exchange generation.

“All is set for the event tomorrow. All participating SADC companies are already in Malawi. The exciting news is that about five ambassadors and several key ministries—including trade, agriculture, transport, and finance—will be part of the gala,” said Chinyamula.

He emphasized that the awards are not merely a celebration of excellence, but a strategic spotlight on sectors pivotal to Malawi’s economic transformation.

“If we want to strengthen our foreign exchange reserves, we must intensify efforts in promoting exports and local manufacturing,” he added.

Chinyamula underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration—particularly among agriculture, manufacturing, finance, and transport—to boost Malawi’s export performance and reduce its overreliance on imports.

While agriculture and manufacturing form the backbone of Malawi’s GDP, he noted that many local industries still rely heavily on imported raw materials.

He advocated for deliberate investments in local agriculture to supply the industrial sector with home-grown inputs.

“We want to reduce import dependence and empower farmers through private sector support. High-quality yields will ensure a sustainable supply of raw materials locally,” he said.

Chinyamula also highlighted the critical role of regional transport infrastructure, especially links with neighbouring Mozambique, in enhancing cross-border trade efficiency.

He praised financial institutions that are easing access to export financing, describing them as “key enablers of industrial growth.”

The Mid-Year Awards Gala is expected to honour companies and institutions reshaping Malawi’s economic outlook, while fostering regional cooperation to improve competitiveness across the SADC bloc.