Malawi Minister of Industrialisation, Business, Trade & Tourism, Simon Itaye speaking in Dar es Salaam when opening the 3rd Malawi–Tanzania Trade and Investment Forum
* Minister Itaye calls for Malawi and Tanzania to turn long enjoyed bilateral relations into stronger commercial relationships
* To convert geographical proximity into market proximity; political goodwill into commercial partnerships
* And regional agreements into actual movement of goods, services, investment and people
By Duncan Mlanjira
During the opening of the 3rd Malawi-Tanzania Trade and Investment Forum in Dar es Salaam on Monday, Minister of Industrialisation, Business, Trade & Tourism, Simon Itaye called for Malawi and Tanzania to deepen trade ties.
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On its official Facebook account, the Ministry reports that Itaye emphasised that the Forum “must convert geographical proximity into market proximity; political goodwill into commercial partnerships; and regional agreements into actual movement of goods, services, investment and people”.
Itaye is further quoted as saying the private sector must be at the centre of this transformation arguing that — while Governments can negotiate agreements, improve border infrastructure, harmonise regulations and create an enabling environment — it is businesses that invest, produce, trade, innovate and create employment.
He indicated that Malawi boasts of significant opportunities in agro-processing, commercial agriculture, manufacturing, mining & mineral beneficiation, tourism, energy, transport & logistics, ICT and digital services.
Thus in collaboration with Tanzania, as regards to regional value chains, would go a long way to benefit the two economies.
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s online media, the Daily News, reports that the two countries have agreed to strengthen economic cooperation through enhanced private sector collaboration, value addition to raw materials and greater utilisation of opportunities available in regional markets.
The report further says the initiative also seeks to reinforce Tanzania’s position as an important trade gateway for Malawi, particularly through Dar es Salaam Port — which is Malawi’s main point of call for its imports and exports.
Dar es Salaam Port
Itaye is quoted as saying Malawi could produce raw materials, including soybeans, while Tanzania uses its industrial capacity to add value before the finished products are sold in the markets of both countries and beyond.
Tanzania’s deputy Industry & Trade Minister, Denis Londo, reportedly said Tanzania has an opportunity to increase its exports to the Malawian market by approximately US$6 million.
He indicated that the products with strong potential in the market include furniture, cleaning products, tiles, construction materials, vegetable seeds, soap and iron products.
Londo further said the two governments and their business community should move swiftly to tap into the available opportunities in order to increase trade volumes and ensure that its citizens benefit from the growing economic cooperation.
The Forum is part of the two government’s efforts to bring together businesspeople to create more trade opportunities and Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TANTRADE) Director General, Ephraim Mafuru, indicated that Tanzania exported goods worth more than US$86 million to Malawi last year.
Mafuru thus is reported to have urged Tanzanian traders to take advantage of the opportunity to meet buyers from Malawi and increase exports of various products, including food, clothing, footwear, tiles and other locally manufactured goods.
Tanzania is also seeking to attract investors from Malawi, particularly in projects aimed at adding value to raw materials produced in the neighbouring country such as soybeans.
Itaye with his Tanzania counterpart
Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) director of investment promotion, George Mkono, is quoted as saying soybeans is one of the key agricultural produce with strong potential for investment and industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Mkono said Tanzania enjoys a strategic geographical position and can serve as an important link between markets in East Africa and Southern Africa.
He thus encouraged Tanzanian businesspeople to closely explore investment opportunities available in Malawi in order to strengthen economic ties and increase mutual benefits between the two countries.
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On its part, the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (MCCCI), reports that 3rd Malawi‑Tanzania Trade & Investment Forum — running from yesterday to tomorrow September 7-9 “is building on the successes of previous editions”.
It comes at a crucial time when both nations are prioritising regional integration and sustainable economic growth with stakeholders from across agriculture, food security, energy, mining, tourism, infrastructure, manufacturing, and finance networking to explore deeper partnership.
It is set to strengthen cooperation by aligning policies and investment priorities, unlock new market opportunities for traders and investors, and encourage private sector participation to drive innovation, job creation, and inclusive development.
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