The Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute (SMEDI) hosted a mini trade fair for SMEs in Lilongwe as one way of promoting the SME sector in the country.

The fair aimed at raising awareness on the rich and diverse products and services that are produced by SMEs and also to provide a platform for establishing profitable and sustainable market linkages with buyers and off takers.

‘We all know the world is reeling from the effects of a global economic downturn due to the Covid -19 pandemic. Malawi has not been spared. The SMEs are even hit harder. This is the more reason we need to build a resilient economy around a vibrant SME sector so as to be able to stand such exogenous shocks,’ says Fumbani Nyangulu, MITC Board member.

The fair was hosted under the theme, “SMEs: a key driver of industrialization and economic growth”.

MITC organized the fair with support from the Nacala Corridor Rail & Port Value Addition and Inclusive Private Sector Development Project. This is a Technical Support project funded by African Development Bank. The project aims at supporting inclusive and sustainable economic growth along the Nacala Corridor through the improvement on the efficiency and competitiveness of local businesses along the corridor.