Buy Malawi Secretariat has since the 6th of August been engaging Private Sector companies with a view to make them understand the need to register their companies with Buy Malawi Strategy (BMS).
Three Business Captains interface meetings have been organised in the three regions of Malawi with two already held in Blantyre and Mzuzu on 8th of August and 15th of August, respectively.
According to President of the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) who is also chairperson of the BMS Executive Committee, Prince Kapondamgaga, there has been slow progress in implementing BMS because both government and private sector have been passive.
As a result, he said, the BMS “has not produced the desired success to government, private sector and consumers.”
Speaking at both events, the Director of Trade in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism Ms Christina Chatima categorically stated that achievement of the BMS goals depends on direct participation of the manufacturers in Malawi.
She emphasised that the engagements were a step towards ensuring that the private sector embrace the strategy by taking an active role in the implementation by enrolling their respective enterprises into the BMS.
Mr. Kapondamgaga also reiterated that involvement of all key stakeholders is key to the success of the strategy and that there was need to maintain the momentum for quick wins.
Buy Malawi Strategy is in line with Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) III and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8 and 9. SDG 8 seeks to promote sustained inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. While 9 looks at Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.