The inaugural Uganda‑Malawi Business Forum Exhibition was hailed as a purposeful and attainable initiative aimed at raising awareness and generating interest in business enterprise between the two countries. Held over two days in Lilongwe, the forum brought together government officials, regulators, investment promotion agencies, financiers and private‑sector representatives to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration.
Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, H.E. Col. (Rtd.) Fred Mwesigye, noted that Malawi stands to benefit from Uganda’s abundant opportunities in agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and technology. He highlighted Uganda’s motor‑vehicle production plant, which has an installed capacity of 5,000 vehicles per annum, as an example of potential partnership. Mwesigye emphasized that both countries could leverage regional and continental frameworks—including COMESA, SADC and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)—to access larger markets, reduce business costs and integrate value chains.
Sphiwe Mauwa, Director of Administration at Malawi’s Ministry of Trade, said the forum provided an enabling environment for businesspeople to acquire knowledge and facilitate smoother trade between the two nations. She stressed the need for accurate information from authorities and called on the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) to address gaps that international investors, including Ugandans, encounter when seeking to do business in Malawi.
A significant milestone announced at the forum was the launch of Malawi Airlines’ new scheduled flights to Uganda, operating four times weekly. This development is expected to open new possibilities for trade, tourism and business mobility.
The forum, held under the theme “Exploring and tapping into the rich opportunities for deeper collaboration,” aimed to foster greater cooperation and understanding between the two nations. As both countries seek to diversify their economies and increase trade, initiatives like this forum are essential for creating awareness, generating interest and facilitating business partnerships. With the launch of new flights and the exploration of opportunities across various sectors, the future of Uganda‑Malawi trade relations looks promising.
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