Trade and Industry Minister, Simplex Chithyola Banda has said Malawi is ready to trade with Egypt in fertilizer and other various trade commodities through trade treaties between the two countries.
Chithyola was speaking this in Zambia during a side meeting he held with the Chairman for the African Affairs Committee of the Egyptian Parliament, Eng. Sherif El Gabaly on Wednesday, 7th June, 2023.
The meeting which came on the sidelines of the COMESA Summit currently underway in Zambia gave the two officials an opportunity to discuss trade opportunities for the two countries.
“Malawi is ready to trade with Egyptian companies, and looking at fertilizer as being very important to our country’s economy with the ATM on our card, that talks of Agriculture as one major focus of President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration in making Malawi food sufficient, middle-income economy, and self-reliant nation, I regard this meeting as so beneficial.” Said Chithyola.
On his part, Eng. Sharif El Gabaly said they are committed to supply fertilizer to Malawi and also get some value chains like tobacco, coffee, tea, and soya among others from Malawi.
The two officials have since agreed to pay visits to Malawi and Egypt.
But in a separate interview from Lusaka, Chithyola Banda who is attending the 16th COMESA Business Summit Forum where the discussion on promotion of value additions is among key issues said it is time that Malawi industries embrace value addition technologies to fully enjoy the benefits of the Free Trade Area.
“It is only when value addition has taken place that products can generate more foreign earnings. In this regard, I call on industries back home to put their effort and focus on producing quality products that can compete within COMESA or Continental Free Trade Area.” Said the Minister.
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Heads of State have gathered in Lusaka-Zambia for 22nd COMESA Summit scheduled for Thursday, 8th June, 2023, which President Lazarus Chakwera is also expected to attend.
