Exhibitors express mixed reactions

Exhibitors at the ongoing 24th Malawi International Trade Fair (Mitf) have expressed mixed reactions with others saying they have received serious enquiries from both local and international buyers while others argue there is nothing to smile about yet.

But Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) chief executive officer Chancellor Kaferapanjira said, so far, the fair is better than they had anticipated and that both local and international exhibitors are not complaining.

 

President Joyce Banda opened the trade fair last Friday under the theme, ‘Realising Our Vision the Export Way’, which she said was in tandem with government’s vision of creating wealth through economic growth and job creation as a means of achieving poverty eradication.

 

For that to happen, she said government will among other things, focus on enhancing capacity for increased production for the export market.

 

Multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation, Monsanto, on Wednesday were positive about the trade fair saying they have been overwhelmed by deals from various farmers across the country.

 

The company’s sales and marketing manager for Southern Region, Dennis Kachikho, said they have received a lot of enquiries and orders especially from people of Nsanje who are only planting maize now.

 

“We have a new variety that is being promoted and it does so well in dambo lands of Nsanje. A lot of people in the Lower Shire cultivated bananas in the last farming season and it is only now that they are planting maize,” said Kachikho.

 

He said their company has produced enough seed this year to satisfy the market even for winter cropping.

 

A new local company, Fasa Products, which is producing soya pieces, said so far, the fair is progressing well.

 

Fasa accountant Frank Kapakasa said they have received a lot of enquiries about their products from Zambia and Zimbabwe.

 

“We started our company in January this year, and only started production in February. People were used to other brands of soya pieces, so our participation at the trade fair was just to sensitise the public about our products. We are encouraging people to get one or just a few packets so that they can try them and come back if they like them,” said Kapakasa.

 

Fasa Products is already exporting to Mozambique.

 

However, a lady who did not want to be mentioned had nothing positive to say about this year’s fair, saying she has participated in the annual event for many years but this year has been something else. She could not elaborate.

 

But Kaferapanjira said the fair is better than they had anticipated, arguing that other companies are still coming in to look for places.

 

Out of 187 local and international companies that had registered initially, there are more that are still coming in, he added.

 

“We did not expect people to change that fast, because before the change in leadership, people were not willing to participate citing the economic climate but, now there is confidence in the companies,” said Kaferapanjira.

 

He, however, pointed out that some international exhibitors are complaining about not selling a lot of items because of higher pricing.