Malawi's AGOA exports tumble

Malawi reaped US$44.4m in 2008 as compared to US$50.8m it realised in 2007 and the country has so far amassed US$9.7m in exports in the first quarter of the year projecting a decline by 5% according to trade statistics.

At the same period last year Malawi reaped US$9.9m according to United States International Trade Commission (USITC).

AGOA is a US government run facility that targets a grouping of 39 Least Developed Countries where Malawi also belongs to, which export over 20 000 different products to the US that include textiles products duty free.

The commission also indicated that Malawi's total exports under the AGOA facility fell by 13% last year.

Derby Makwelero, Malawi's Director of Trade in the Industry and Trade Ministry, says government would want to ensure that it does not slacken on its AGOA exports as has been the trend.

“We are geared to reverse the current state of affairs and we will rebuild the export base,” he said saying they will achieve this by enhancing the infrastructure and production capacity.

Makwelero said a number of issues will also be reviewed in order to fully build the manufacturing base, like issues to do with energy, road network as well as identifying cheaper access to the sea.