Minister of Trade and Industry, Vitumbiko Mumba, has defended the government’s recent trade restriction order, clarifying that it does not violate any international trade agreements.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe, Mumba emphasised that the measure is not a permanent ban but a temporary arrangement tailored to the current economic and industrial landscape.
“The restriction is designed to safeguard our economy during this challenging period. It is a strategic move to create an environment where local businesses can thrive without the immediate pressure of foreign competition,” said Mumba.
He pointed out that Malawi is not alone in adopting such measures, citing Botswana as an example, stating that the nation imposes restrictions on vegetable imports during its harvest season to ensure local farmers have access to the domestic market.
Mumba argued that this approach is necessary to shield Malawian producers from being outcompeted by foreign imports.
“Our goal is to empower our local manufacturers and farmers. If they fail to take advantage of this opportunity and do not rise to the challenge, we will have no choice but to lift the restriction,” he warned.
Mumba further stressed the importance of value addition in Malawi’s economy, urging entrepreneurs and manufacturers to invest in processing raw materials into finished goods.
He expressed optimism that many businesses are already stepping up to embrace value addition, which he described as the key to long-term economic sustainability.
“This is the time for Malawian industries to innovate, improve product quality, and build competitive brands. We cannot rely on imports forever; we must create and sustain our own production capacity,” he added.
