During the inaugural annual General Meeting for the Chamber for Small and Medium Business Association, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) were tipped on how to reap more from the 60/40 procurement law.

The law states that 60% of public procurement contracts must be rewarded to indigenous black Malawians. The procurement authority’s Director General, Elias Hausi, told the SMEs that the government is keen on the quality of goods and services, which is prioritized with timely delivery. Last year, during the SMEs Expo, the enterprises expressed worry over lack of support from government and individuals towards the growth of their enterprises. “Though the Buy Malawi Strategy promotes consumption of local products, both the government and individual Malawians prefer imported goods.” said one of the small scale traders.

A year later, the procurement authority has called on the SMEs to organize themselves to reap the most of the 60/40 law. “The message is that if SMEs want to participate fully, this is the time to position themselves” said Hausi.