Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)’s Intra Africa exports has grown by 40% from $10 billion to $14 billion (approx. K18 to K25 trillion).
James Chimwaza, COMESA’s Business Council President, has since called local entrepreneurs to take advantage of the regional trade bloc to export more.
He singled out harmonisation of standards as well as the integration of SMEs with the corporate world as key to breaking onto the international market.
During the same period, Malawi’s Intra-Africa exports rose from $269 million to $395 million (approx. K711billion).
COMESA Business Council is currently training over 50 SMEs in Lilongwe on standards and Quality assurance.