Tag Archives: Mark Katsonga Phiri

Business, Malawi, Regional

Katsonga for Malawi’ serious industrialization

Maravi Post Reporter
Katsonga for serious Malawi’s industralization

NIAMY-(MaraviPost)-Minister of Trade and Industry for Malawi Mark Katsonga Phiri, has hailed the AU Extraordinary Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification as vital in the realization of Africa’s potential to utilise the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).

Katsonga attended the summit in Niamy- Niger where he also represented the Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera.

“We need to be aggressive in doing our things to prosper. Heads of state or their representatives have gathered here in Neger to brainstorm on issues of Industrialization and Economic growth of the African countries not for nothing.

“They are not here for a holiday, and something must be done for Africa including Malawi to grow economically,” Katsonga added.

After attending the main summit and several side meetings, Malawi minister of trade and Industry Mark Katsonga Phiri said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a gateway to prosperity if fully implemented.

Katsonga observed that Malawi president Chakwera has a vision for the country but what is needed now is the aggression to work together in realising national aspirations which he said it is possible.

The Minister also had time to meet counterparts from Mozambique where they discussed progress on One Stop boarder Post (OSBP) on the Mozambique side like at Dedza and Mwanza Boarders.

They also discussed ways of improving trade between ADMARC and Mozambique Grain Institute known as ICM.

He also met the Moroccan minister of Industry and trade Mr Ryad Mezzour on proposed exchange visits of business people for proper insights and the Moroccan side has shown interest.

Different speakers at the summit including Rwanda present Paul Kagame, who sat in for the Chairperson for the African Union, Mohamed Mazoum, President of Niger also emphasised the need for African countries to join hands in pushing the continental development agenda which they observed relies on Trade and Industry.

Katsonga also met the Zambian minister of trade and Commerce on the opening of the Mchinji One Stop Boarder Post, by the two heads of State.

On Industrial development and quality infrastructure, minister Katsonga met with the Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to follow up on the request for Malawi’s quality infrastructure program.

The Director General has committed to respond as soon as possible for Malawi’s benefit.

Business, Malawi, Regional

Malawi Trade Minister Katsonga lauds Special Economic Zones for fast-tracking industrialization

Maravi Post Reporter
Mark Katsonga Phiri

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Minister of trade and Industry Mark Katsonga Phiri has described the Special Economic Zones as key to fast-tracking industrialization that will in turn lead to sustainable economic growth and development for Malawi.

Katsonga was speaking in Niger at a joint meeting for African Union Ministers who are in charge of Industrialization, Economic Diversification and AFCFTA.

“The industrial sector in most AU Member states including Malawi, has been facing a lot of challenges over the decades and this has affected our ability to compete on the global market.

“In an endeavour to achieve this, Malawi is establishing Special Economic Zones to fast-track industrialization that will lead to sustainable economic growth and development.” Katsonga added.

The trade minister continued that the Government of Malawi finalised all the processes of it’s membership to AfCFTA with the aim of enhancing public and private sector participation.

The minister has therefore urged all the stakeholders to join hands in creating a conducive environment for the industrialization drive to thrive.

Business, Malawi, Regional

Malawi signs MoU with Ugandan’s Human Capital International on SMEs promotion

Lloyd M’bwana

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi government through Ministry of Trade and Industry on Thursday, October 6, 2022 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ugandan firm, Human Capital International (HCI) aimed at promoting the country’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).


Director of Trade Charity Musonzo , Katsonga and Dr.Dei-Tumi after MoU signing (from left)

HCI President Dr. Emmanuel Dei-Tumi told the news conference in the capital that him firm is set to hold SMEs’ summit in Malawi slated for June 27 to 30 June, 2022 on how best to grow SMEs, discuss challenges and how to address them.

Dr Dei-Tumi disclosed that 900 business captains across African continent, Europe and Asia are expected to attend the summit.

He therefore added that the summit will incorporate politicians, religious leaders and among others.

Dr Dei-Tumi said the summit will also focus on proposal of having one passport in After that eases business operations and human resources, expertise transfer.

“This will be the second time for my firm to orgainse the summit after successfully held another one this year in Uganda. This type of summit is unique as religious leaders are key to discussions as Africans are deeply attached to religion. We want believers to lead in business.

“Secondly, we want to push for one Africa’s passport and currency to invigorate easy movements and business operations in the continent. So, this is Malawi’s opportunity to showcase its homemade products to the world,” says Dr. Dei-Tumi.

Trade and Industry minister Mark Katsonga Phiri, who signed the MoU on behalf of Malawi government, believes that the summit will benefit Malawian’s entrepreneurs.

Katsonga added that the summit will create a platform for easy access to funding for entrepreneurs.

He therefore appealed for support towards successful hosting of the summit.

Dr. Dei-Tum and his firm was in Malawi for the last three weeks meeting various business captains and entrepreneurs for talk on trade deals.

Business, Malawi

Ugandan investor Tirupati Ltd sees potential in Malawi for SMEs development

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Ugandan Investor, Tirupati Development Limited has shown interest to invest in Malawi.

The investor has therefore asked Malawi’s Ministry of Trade and Industry to make an effort in making sure that about 15 Hectors of land for development purposes is available.

Ugandan investor posing photo with Trade Minister Katsonga

This follow the organization’s managers courtesy call made to Trade and Industry Minister Mark Katsonga Phiri on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 in the capital Lilongwe.

Speaking at the gathering, joint managing director for Tirupati Development Limited Miraj Barot said Malawi is the best land to show that small and medium grouping can grow and make a country self reliant.

He started by narrating the story of Tirupati Group that his father left India in the 90s in search of a green pasture and he struggled to reach the current stage.

“My father started from a humble beginning to a stage where the company capital is hovering around 100 million dollars because of dedication and focus in small and medium enterprises. We are into different sectors starting from construction to waste management.

“We want to bring interventions that will see the Malawian youth getting jobs for the development of their families and the country at large,” he said.

The visit follows Katsonga ‘s visit to Uganda few months ago where he had time to visit few facilities.

According to the Minister, with the Ugandan state minister for industry, David Bahati, toured Tirupati Industrial Park in Kyebando along the Northern Bypass and Roofings Rolling Mills in Namanve Industrial Park.

“My visit was to benchmark what the government of Uganda is doing to promote import substitution and promote small and medium enterprises. I was impressed with the small and medium enterprises in Uganda.

Katsonga and Ugandan Investor (from right)

“I noted that if Malawi indeed invests more money in the industry, SMEs can be developed. His Excellency the state President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera entrusted me with a Business Ministry, so we need to be thinking business all the time,” said Katsonga.

Katsonga further said he was excited with the model used by Tirupati, for the big investor to set up space for small manufacturers and provide them services, which he said should be adopted here in Malawi.

He said small businesses, are important for the economic development of African nations, and must be recognized since they provide over 90% of jobs.

The Tirupati industrial area was commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda in February 2015 and offers warehouses that accommodate different enterprises dealing in shoe making, milk, drinking straws, agricultural chemicals, crafts, waste management among others.

They are also involved in the university project in Qujarat Under SRI GROUP OF INSTITUTIONS and Himalay Ayurvedic Hospital and Pharmaceuticals.

During the meeting in Lilongwe, Miraj Barot was accompanied by his father who is the chairman for Tirupati Group and Dr Emmanuel Del-Tumi, who is president and chief Copy-writer HCI Africa.

The team commended Malawi President and Trade Minister for the great work doing in making sure that Malawi become home for business people.

During the meeting, minister of trade and Industry was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Trade and Industry Christine Zakeyo, Nwazi Mnthambala Principal Secretary for Industry, Francis Zhuwawo Principal Secretary for SMEs and other officials from the ministry of trade and Industry.

Business, Malawi

Trade Ministry, CFTC stir last warning to cooking oil suppliers, manufacturers

Maravi Post Reporter

By Chisomo Phiri

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Ministry of Trade and Industry in conjunction with Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) has warned oil producing and supplying companies in the country that are not abiding by the government’s 16.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) reduction on cooking oil.

This was revealed in a statement signed by the Minister of Trade and Industry Mark Katsonga Phiri.

Cooking oil still high despite VAT removal

In the statement, the ministry said despite government announcing scrapping of VAT on edible cooking oil across the country, some suppliers and retailers of the product are still not following the suit to reduce the prices.

The ministry also said it was expecting that the prices of the edible cooking oil will go down by now since government ceased from charging VAT as per the gazetted notice issued by the Ministry of Finance.

“In view of the above, the Ministry of Trade and Industry wishes to issue a final warning to all perpetrators that through the laws, drastic action will be applicable to all traders that are not by the said Gazzete notice,” reads part of the statement.

Meanwhile, the Minister has called on cooking oil consumers in the country to report suppliers that have not yet reduced the prices with immediate effect that government can take its urgent action.

Malawi Government removed VAT on cooking oil with expectation that the price of the commodity to go down in February this year during 2022 -2023 budget presentation.

However, prices of the commodity have remained high despite government ‘s warning to issue penalties to traders that are still charging VAT on cooking oil.

Politics

“Stand up against DPP’s impunity leadership,” opposition parties tell Malawians

Maravi Post correspondent

Opposition leaders at the pres conference

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)- Malawi’s opposition political parties, on Thursday stood up with one voice calling on Malawians to take serious actions against the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) impunity leadership.

Addressing the news conference in the capital Lilongwe, the opposition parties including the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Peoples Party (PP), United Transformation Party (UTP), National Rainbow Coalition (NRC), Malawi Forum for Unity and Development (MAFUNDE), Peoples Progressive Movement (PPM), United Party (UP) and New Labor Party (NLP), outlined 17 concerns that are affecting Malawians.

Among the key issues are political persecution of opposition leaders, the disputed Lilongwe City South East elections, parastatals misconduct of funding DPP functions, the flopping of the Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP), unchecked public resources plundering, the unrealistic public reforms, corruption, and dubious government transactions among others.

The opposition political parties accused President Peter Mutharika of lack of leadership direction, compounded by nepotism, tribalism, and regionalistic tendencies of running the state affairs.

They said the concerns raised must be addressed for the best interest of Malawians, and affirmed that they are not looking for power.

The opposition parties therefore, called on Malawians to seriously  their leader to task when running the affairs of the nation.

“Ever since President Peter Mutharika assumed office two-and-half years ago, there has been a record number of scandals involving corruption, waste, fraud, outright theft, impunity, and embezzlement of public funds and properties.

“His detractors have called his government a government of shameless thieves who are plundering public resources. Instead, Mutharika responds by challenging them to bring evidence. Yet these are exactly what the public sector reforms were expected to put an end to this. Clearly, the public sector scandals reforms are treating the symptoms and leaving the disease untreated,” read the grand statement signed by MCP Chakwera, PP Ulandi Mussa, PPM Katsonga Phiri, NRC Lovenes Gondwe, MAFUNDE George Mnesa, NLP Sam Mpasu, UTP Newton Kambala and UP John Chisi.

When asked if the joint conference sends signals of standing as one block in the 2019 elections, Mpasu said their stand was to raise issues affecting Malawians but the time was not ripe for a coalition.

On what specific action will they take towards DPP failure, the opposition block asked Malawians to seriously demand quality leadership from Mutharika.

“We can’t ask Mutharika to resign but Malawians themselves who are feeling the pinch of this bad leadership, have the means to remove the leadership or to sustain it as they have the power to do so.

“We are here with these concerns as the way of dialoging with Malawians that we are with them, that is up to them to act before it’s too late,” NRC Gondwe said.

Government spokesperson Nicolas Dausi, is yet to react to the opposition accusation over its poor leadership.