Malawi is setting its sights on boosting foreign exchange earnings through increased exports, as five Southern African Development Community (SADC) ambassadors arrive in Lilongwe for the much-anticipated National Product Magazine (NPM) Mid-Year Awards Gala.
The high-profile event, scheduled for tonight at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC), will also mark the unveiling of the magazine’s 115th edition. It comes at a time when the country is intensifying calls for an export-led approach to rebuild its foreign currency reserves.
NPM Chief Executive Officer Arthur Chinyamula confirmed that preparations for the gala are complete, with delegates from across the SADC region and key government ministries, trade, agriculture, transport, and finance expected to attend.
“All is set for the event tomorrow. All participating SADC companies are already in Malawi. The exciting news is that about five ambassadors and several key ministries including trade, agriculture, transport, and finance, will be part of the gala,” said Chinyamula.
With the theme “Export-Led Growth for Foreign Exchange Generation,” the gala aims to shine a spotlight on sectors critical to Malawi’s economic transformation. Chinyamula emphasised that the awards go beyond celebrating business excellence; they are part of a national effort to promote trade, investment, and regional economic ties.
Chinyamula further stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration, particularly among agriculture, manufacturing, transport, and finance. He pointed out that although agriculture and manufacturing account for a large share of the country’s GDP, many local industries still rely on imported raw materials, an issue that undermines forex retention.
“If we want to strengthen our foreign exchange reserves, we must intensify efforts in promoting exports and local manufacturing,” he added. “We want to reduce import dependence and empower farmers through private sector support. High-quality yields will ensure a sustainable supply of raw materials locally.”
He also highlighted the significance of regional transport networks, especially infrastructure linking Malawi with Mozambique, as essential to improving cross-border trade efficiency. Chinyamula applauded financial institutions that are providing flexible export financing, calling them “key enablers of industrial growth.”
The NPM Mid-Year Awards Gala is expected to honour outstanding companies and institutions that are redefining Malawi’s industrial landscape and contributing to broader SADC integration.
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