2018 TRADE FAIR SET FOR MAY 24TH

At least 208 exhibitors have confirmed participation at the 30th Malawi International Trade Fair set to run from May 24th to 3rd June.

Briefing journalists in Blantyre, Head of Communications at the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI), Millie Kasunda, said the Chamber anticipates more companies to register before the deadline on May 11.

The fair will be held under the theme: ‘Industrialization, Basis for Trade Competitiveness’.

Kasunda said this year the Fair is focusing on export-oriented industrialization as a basis for achieving trade competitiveness.

She said the Chamber believes it was possible to achieve industrialization amid the current power blackouts and lack of enough infrastructure.

“The Chamber believes the fair would provide a platform for all stakeholders such as the government and other players in the industry to interact and find solutions to these issues. The government also needs to put in place policies that would promote this aspect especially in production, manufacturing and value adding of products,” she said.

Kasunda said the Chamber would soon start publishing deals made through trade fairs in order for the public to appreciate the impact the business events have on the economy.

“For now it is difficult for people to see the impact trade fairs have had but as soon as we provide that information through our media platforms people would be able to appreciate,” she said.

MCCCI’s Head of Linkages and Events, Linda Pete, said trade fairs offer business opportunities to companies which have new innovations.

“We have members and non-members and businesses are at every point in time coming up with new products and services that they would want to showcase. So this is the platform for the business persons to interact and showcase their products to both international and local delegates,” she said.

Minister of Trade and Industry Henry Mussa will officially open the fair.

Also expected to attend are ambassadors and high commissioners of several countries resident in the country.

Some of the activities planned at this year’s trade fair include a business dinner, business to business (B2B) and Business to Group (B2G) match making meetings, business workshops, business days and school days.