MCCCI dares govt on BMS

Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) has asked government to provide detailed information on the private sector contribution towards the Buy Malawi Strategy (BMS) so far.

During the launch of the BMS, President Peter Mutharika outlined some measures to boost the local industry, among which, was a mandate that all public procuring entities will buy at least 30 percent of their goods and services from Malawi-based enterprises.

He added that Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development will prioritise allocation of land to enterprises and investors that intend to manufacture goods and provide services.

Mutharika further called on commercial banks to put emphasis on lending money to enterprises that produce goods and services locally rather than only emphasising  enterprises that import finished products for re-sell.

MCCCI president Karl Chokotho says it is in the interest of the chamber to find out the data of private sector contribution to the strategy so far.

He said: “What we would like to know is where we are in regards to what government said that it would be buying a minimum of 30 percent from the Malawi companies because we believe that this is the essence of the strategy.”

But Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Joseph Mwanamveka noted that companies have not given the strategy the much-need support. n