The case of Nali Limited
Attending trade missions is one effective way of exploring potential international business opportunities. This is because trade missions bring together suppliers and potential customers in one place for a few days of intensive meet and greets and matchmaking.
Malawi Investment and Trade Centre-MITC organises trade missions to various markets as one way of identifying markets and distributors for Malawian products. Recently, MITC along with the Ministry of Trade led a delegation of Malawian businesses to Nampula in Mozambique for a five day trade mission. This mission provided valuable networking opportunities for Malawian businesses with key industry representatives in Mozambique.
Even though as a business you may have to pay for your flights, the benefits of attending trade missions are myriad, for example, you’ll get a series of meetings lined up with relevant contacts. The good thing also is that travelling with a government-backed delegation can often broaden your networking opportunities, particularly in terms of government officials and industry professionals.
Peter Likomwa of Nali Limited has been attending trade missions organised by MITC. He was recently part of the Nampula Trade Mission in Mozambique where he has managed to access key contacts for their company. Likomwa believes that MITC adds credibility when travelling outside Malawi to search for markets. He says the Nampula Trade Mission content was particularly useful for building contacts and relationships and sharing experiences with the other delegates.
"MITC helped us to make the most of the mission and connect with the right people. We have identified a company called Spice World who will be our distributor of Nali Chilli Sauces in Nampula. They have already made contact with us, they visited our offices on 4th January to finalise this partnership."
Attending trade missions is one effective way of exploring potential international business opportunities. This is because trade missions bring together suppliers and potential customers in one place for a few days of intensive meet and greets and matchmaking.
Malawi Investment and Trade Centre-MITC organises trade missions to various markets as one way of identifying markets and distributors for Malawian products. Recently, MITC along with the Ministry of Trade led a delegation of Malawian businesses to Nampula in Mozambique for a five day trade mission. This mission provided valuable networking opportunities for Malawian businesses with key industry representatives in Mozambique.
Even though as a business you may have to pay for your flights, the benefits of attending trade missions are myriad, for example, you’ll get a series of meetings lined up with relevant contacts. The good thing also is that travelling with a government-backed delegation can often broaden your networking opportunities, particularly in terms of government officials and industry professionals.
Peter Likomwa of Nali Limited has been attending trade missions organised by MITC. He was recently part of the Nampula Trade Mission in Mozambique where he has managed to access key contacts for their company. Likomwa believes that MITC adds credibility when travelling outside Malawi to search for markets. He says the Nampula Trade Mission content was particularly useful for building contacts and relationships and sharing experiences with the other delegates.
"MITC helped us to make the most of the mission and connect with the right people. We have identified a company called Spice World who will be our distributor of Nali Chilli Sauces in Nampula. They have already made contact with us, they visited our offices on 4th January to finalise this partnership."
"They will also help us to push our products in other markets in Mozambique like Pemba, Nacala and Maputo."
"To us MITC is very key in our business. They are able to research and connect us to the world and meet other international manufacturers."
Likomwa encourages businesses to consider attending such trade missions because the networking opportunities at such events are tremendous.
"My advice to my fellow business people, start patronising these events. They will help you to learn and discover new skills of improving their businesses and of course identify new customers for your products."
One most important thing for businesses after attending trade missions is to make sure that you follow-up with the contacts you have established. Many people’s inboxes will be heaving after a show, so be quick to get in touch while they can still remember you!