{"id":467089,"date":"2019-09-20T11:30:53","date_gmt":"2019-09-20T10:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kapitalafrik.com\/?p=467089"},"modified":"2019-09-20T11:30:53","modified_gmt":"2019-09-20T10:30:53","slug":"malawi-needs-to-ratify-the-afcfta-as-soon-as-possible-says-ministry-of-industry-trade-and-tourism-representative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.financialafrik.com\/en\/2019\/09\/20\/malawi-needs-to-ratify-the-afcfta-as-soon-as-possible-says-ministry-of-industry-trade-and-tourism-representative\/","title":{"rendered":"Malawi needs to ratify the AfCFTA as soon as possible says Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism Representative"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, in partnership with the Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union Commission (AUC) held an AfCFTA Sensitization Workshop in Lilongwe on Tuesday 17 September. This workshop brought together approximately 100 participants from the private sector, civil society organizations, government and academia. The purpose of the workshop was to promote dialogue and develop a better understanding of the AfCFTA, as well as, secure consensus for Malawi to ratify the AfCFTA Agreement.<\/p>\n

In his official opening remarks, Dr. Joseph Mkandawire, Director of Administration and Finance, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, delivered a speech on behalf of Salim Bagus, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, in which he urged the Private Sector\u00a0“to be proactive in seizing every opportunity availed by the AfCFTA as it offers a huge market for Malawian products.”<\/em>\u00a0He further noted that it is\u00a0“time to start making necessary adjustments to production processes in the manufacturing sector to adapt to AfCFTA demand in the shortest period possible, thereby benefiting from first-mover advantages. It is only when we are aggressive that we will be able to grow this economy. This reasoning justifies why Malawi needs to ratify the Agreement as soon as possible.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Said Adejumobi, ECA Regional Director for Southern Africa outlined some of the critical reforms needed in Malawi to ensure that industrialization, investment and trade generate optimum benefits for Malawi. Including working on\u00a0“areas of trade facilitation, infrastructure development, doing business reforms to create a better conducive environment for the private sector, product quality and standards. As well as the general policy environment, its consistency, clarity and stability to support the development of a competitive industrial sector able to capture opportunities arising from a borderless trade continent.”<\/em><\/p>\n

The AfCFTA ushers in a new era of development, with its main objectives being to create a continental market for goods and services, enhance competitiveness at the industry and enterprise level through opportunities for scale production, continental market access and better reallocation of resources. This would promote intra-Africa trade and address the issues of poverty and employment on the continent.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Malawi is set to benefit from:<\/p>\n