Tete opens up for businesswomen
Local businesswomen in the country stand to benefit from an exhibition that slated for December 9 and 10 in Tete, Mozambique, facilitated by the Economic Empowerment Action Group (EEAG).
EEAG president Louis Chiwalo said the exhibition will allow the women to explore other markets for their products.
He said it will also help them to develop their lives as Tete is fast becoming a big market for diverse products and, thus, opening windows for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“A lot of women are in business, but have no idea where they can get markets for their products; so, this is an opportunity for them. The women have different products, ranging from vegetables, chilli, chickens, fruit juices, jams and other things,†said Chiwalo.
He said the women will be able to find markets in Tete where they can export their items.
The trip is being funded by Malawi’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and its Mozambican counterpart.
South Africa and Zimbabwe are already making it big in Tete through supplies of foodstuffs.
Chiwalo said the 15 women, who will go on that trip, are members of National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (Nasme).
He noted that the biggest challenge in delivering the orders from such exhibitions remains financing, but was optimistic that with some loans, the women will deliver.
One of the members of Nasme, Emily Mzungu, who sells refrigerators, radios, television sets and other appliances from South Africa and runs a bottle store and a salon in the country, said they have already sent someone to Tete to find out what is needed there.
“We are not going to benefit in sales alone. We will also get the chance to meet with businesswomen from that country and share ideas on how we can forge ahead,†she said.
Another Nasme member, Chisomo Tandaude, a producer of Malambe products, also said she will take advantage of the trip to see if there is a market for her products in Tete.
“There are various businesses under Nasme and I would like to see if mine would thrive in Tete. If I find that there is a market for any of my products such as Malambe juice, jam or the seed powder, I will be supplying,†she said.
Blantyre members of Nasme have partnered with SMEs in Tete on a trade exchange programme that will see traders in the two countries visiting each other with the aim of promoting their goods.
