STORY: Malawian president urges traders to utilize int'l markets
SHOOTING DATE: May 23, 2024
DATELINE: May 25, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:23
LOCATION: Lilongwe
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the 34th Malawi International Trade Fair
2. SOUNDBITE (Chichewa): LAZARUS CHAKWERA, Malawian President
3. various of the 34th Malawi International Trade Fair

STORYLINE:

Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera on Thursday urged traders in the country to take advantage of the export market deals the government has signed with China and other international market avenues to increase foreign exchange inflows into the country.
   
The president made the appeal when he officially opened the 34th Malawi International Trade Fair in the country's commercial city of Blantyre.
   
He lamented the gap between the country's imports and exports for the past years, saying that in March 2023, the trade deficit between imports and exports was 177.7 million U.S. dollars, while in the same month, 2024, the gap increased to 194.4 million dollars.

SOUNDBITE (Chichewa): LAZARUS CHAKWERA, Malawian President
"As the government has found a market for soybeans, peppers, cauliflower, tomatoes, and broccoli, we appeal to you traders to please utilize that opportunity."
   
Minister of Trade and Industry Sosten Gwengwe echoed the president's sentiments, saying that the business environment in Malawi is very conducive in terms of tax, policy and regulatory frameworks, and that there is a lot of collaboration between the public and private sectors.
   
At least 170 local and international companies are participating in this year's international fair, which runs through May 29.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lilongwe.
(XHTV)