Maximizing Growth Opportunities: Business Success Stories Emerge at 35th MITF

Key Business Points

• Expand Your Market Reach: Malawi’s business community can capitalize on new opportunities for regional trade and investment, with numerous deals and partnerships secured during the 35th Malawi International Trade Fair (MITF).
• Support Local Entrepreneurs: The fair highlighted the importance of private sector-led industrialization in driving economic transformation, with many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) gaining significant exposure and securing new business relationships.
• Leverage Government Support: The Malawi government and business associations are working together to facilitate business growth, with initiatives such as the MITF and sponsorship of SMEs by local banks to encourage entrepreneurship and investment.

The 35th Malawi International Trade Fair (MITF) has come to a close, marking the end of eight days of intense business activity, regional trade discussions, and networking opportunities. The annual event, organized by the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI), brought together 212 exhibitors from across the country and beyond, showcasing a wide range of products and services. Local products, including coffee, rice, and financial products, were among the many items on display, highlighting the diversity of Malawi’s business sector.

Exhibitors and participants praised the fair for facilitating productive interactions and enhancing visibility, with many securing new distribution and supply agreements, particularly in the dairy and agricultural sectors. Slyvia Mambelera, founder of Coming Home Creations, reported securing deals with local Indian companies and two companies in Zimbabwe and Botswana, while Mack Milk, a growing dairy processor, secured new agreements in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) also gained significant exposure, with many sponsored by National Bank of Malawi (NBM) and First Capital Bank (FCB). Youth entrepreneurs under the National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) reported strong sales, with many selling out their stock before the fair ended, highlighting the potential of Malawi’s youth to drive economic growth.

The MITF also featured business-to-business meetings and information sessions, where businesses could share knowledge and establish new partnerships. A patron from South Africa, Nonkuleleko Mthembu, spoke highly of the caliber of SMEs she interacted with, identifying promising businesses to foster long-term trade relationships. The fair’s theme, "Promoting Economic Transformation Through Private Sector-Led Industrialisation", reflects the growing recognition of the importance of private sector-led growth in driving Malawi’s economic transformation.

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