World Bank Country Manager Greg Toulmin has advised on exports growth, a development that has come after 2018 reports have shown that Malawi exports have decreased, as manufacturing sector has bemoaned various challenges, while the trade balance shows a minus $372.3 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Toulmin explained that there is a plan to reduce border agencies from 14 to 5, to ease exporters’ experience. “Reducing number of border agencies can improve computerisation and automation of customs procedures” he said.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Francis Kasaila addressed the challenges faced by exporters, stressing that the Ministry was aiming at mitigating the challenges, while also calling on stakeholders to join hands in the ministry to work on access to sea territorial, major world markets and decrease cost of doing business.