Standard Bank says its trade finance products and services hold the key to unlocking the potential of importers and exporters in stimulating Malawi’s economic growth.

The Malawi Ambassador to the USA, Mr Necton Mhura testified before the GSP Sub-committee of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) of the US Trade Representative (USTR) on Tuesday August 11, 2015.

Following the recent reduction in the Liquidity Reserve Requirement (LRR) ratio to 7.5 from 15.5 % by the Central Bank, the New Finance Bank-NFB has adjusted accordingly by reducing its base lending rates so that customers can benefit from the development.

There is more bad news from the sole electricity supplier Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi (ESCOM) which has indicated that the recent blackouts have come to stay until rainy season.