Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Francis Kasaila on Friday commended Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc for the role it plays in improving efficiencies and cost effectiveness critical for the country’s economic growth.
Speaking on the sidelines of the company’s Managers in Training (MIT) Conference in Blantyre, the minister said government is keen to see the private sector invest in the economy by saving money in some areas and investing it in other sectors.
He said: “As government, we have also learned a few issues we need to address such as how best to support the industry for it to improve on production and create further space for investments.
“It is an area that I am sure, as we continue dialoguing, we will be able to sit down with Illovo and look at the opportunities which can create secondary industries that can help us reduce unemployment and service delivery for our people.”
In his remarks, the Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE)-listed company’s human resources director Lekani Katandula said to become a market leader, there is need to ensure the cost of production remains competitive on the international market, a development which requires innovation, efficiency and effective use of human resources.
“For organisations to remain competitive, there is need to have a well-developed human resource base which will in turn competently manage other production resources in the business.
“We realise the fact that it is only highly competent and engaged people who can contribute significantly to the success of the company, as such we invest substantially on training and development of our people,” he said.
MIT programme started in 1998, a year after Illovo Malawi acquired Nchalo and Dwangwa operations.
Under the guidance of a professional mentor, the trainee undergoes hands-on management training in specialty areas for three years at a total cost of K20 million per individual. n
