Following the postponed Malawi International Trade Fair after five countries pulled out citing the tension amidst the political environment in the country. The fair was postponed to happen from 6th to the 15th August 2019. However the Fair opened in the absence of President Peter Mutharika, a development that has never happened in his regime.

Sources at Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, earlier told The Nation newspapers that Mitf may not happen on the said postponed dates, citing that extended invitations for international participants have not been sent by the ministry. Spokesperson for the Malawi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Millie Kasunda, said only three international exhibitors from Bangladesh, Mozambique and Zimbabwe would be attending because most of the foreign exhibitors who had confirmed attendance pulled out due to the ongoing political crisis.

Kasunda told Nyasatimes that the numbers are not very satisfactory in regards to foreign exhibitors. Indonesia, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia and China are the participants that did not attend, fearing political tension. The Trade Fair, themed ‘Achieving Competitiveness through integration into regional value chains.’, is happening amidst standstill of businesses due to the nationwide demonstrations.