Malawi companies persuaded to improve on packaging

LILONGWE - Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) Chief Executive Officer, Clement Kumbemba has urged local companies to improve on packaging to attract more markets.

Kumbemba said this during a capacity- building workshop which MITC organised at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe for producers and exporters across the country.

“Our research has revealed that sometimes people lose markets because of poor packaging now we are saying that let’s improve on packaging so we need to overcome on the issues of packaging,” said Kumbemba.

“That is why MITC organised this workshop to equip producers and exporters with skills that will be required for their products to be certified as of good quality,” Kumbemba said.

Among other objectives, the workshop aimed at identifying the various challenges holding back the country’s producers and exporters in meeting demands of international markets with their products. The workshop also sought ways of addressing such challenges.

“Malawi loses billions (of Kwacha) because we have lost out in the way we grade and package our products before export.

“These factors negatively affect the products’ competiveness at international markets within the region and worldwide,” said Kumbemba. A representative of the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Dr Joseph Mkandawire, said his ministry will support MITC in its quest of impacting knowledge in packaging and quality standards.