 PLAYING IN THE BIG LEAGUES |
Regional integration in Africa has translated into increased opportunities for Malawi. For the past year the Southern African Development Council (SADC) has adopted a free trade protocol, which is paving the way for an elimination of import duties between member countries. Moreover, the increased importance of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is facilitating greater trade and economic cooperation between African countries than ever before.
"Small countries like Malawi look at regional integration as a positive development" says Malewezi. In effect, SADC will break down national borders and harmonize customs regulations in line with international standards.
| This will benefit Malawi by increasing its economies of scale, and positioning it as a perfect trading centre thanks to its geographical position in the heart of southern Africa. Surrounded by Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, and in close proximity to the markets of Zimbabwe and South Africa, Malawi has the potential of becoming a strategic center for business development in the region. "The business community should see that they can access the whole region from here, thereby building a common platform" indicates Ngalande.
Yet the Malawi government is not only focused on regional expansion – it has also established a strong relationship with the European Union and has taken steps to increase exports to the United States following the signature of the recent US-Africa Cooperation Trade Bill. This trade strategy will develop a two-prong expansion – into surrounding areas thanks to regional integration and further abroad into international markets thanks to new bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. |
