Africa-Press – Malawi. The Chinese Ambassador to Malawi Lu Xu has called on Malawian businesses to fully utilise China’s preferential trade policy, which grants Malawi 100 percent tariff-free access to the Chinese market.
She made the remarks on Tuesday during her visit to the 35th Malawi International Trade Fair currently underway in Blantyre.
Speaking after touring several pavilions, Lu praised the quality of Malawian products on display and reaffirmed China’s commitment to fostering deeper economic partnerships with Malawi.
She urged local entrepreneurs and exporters to take full advantage of the preferential trade policy to expand Malawi’s export footprint in China, assuring them of a huge available demand that caters to a population of 1.3 billion people.
“This trade policy is especially customized for least developed countries, including Malawi. It is called 100 percent tariff exemptions— meaning no tariffs at all for Malawian products entering the Chinese market,” Xu said
She revealed that China has already started importing Malawian soybeans under this arrangement, while agreements for macadamia products are expected to be finalized during the Hunan Economic and Trade Fair in June this year.
Chili pepper and freshwater fish from Lake Malawi are also under consideration, but she emphasized there is room to expand beyond these initial products.
Ambassador Lu also stressed the need for collaboration between Malawian authorities and her office to identify and recommend more potential export commodities that could qualify under the policy.
“I want all Malawian business people to know that this opportunity exists, especially at a time when some countries are imposing heavy tariffs. China, in contrast, is offering a completely tariff-free arrangement to developing countries because we see ourselves as part of one global family—the Global South—pursuing a shared destiny for mankind,” she explained.
Reflecting on her impressions of the Trade Fair, Lu commended the quality of Malawi’s agricultural products and expressed particular interest in the government’s Mega Farm initiative, saying that despite China’s advanced agricultural sector, the country still relies heavily on food imports and sees Malawi as a promising and reliable trading partner.
Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) Director of Membership and Business Development Wezi Mungoni emphasized the Chamber’s commitment to facilitating business linkages and supporting private sector participation in the China market under the preferential trade policy.
“Our objective as a Chamber is to facilitate trade, create business linkages, and build capacity. The Ambassador highlighted several export opportunities, and we are ready to work closely with the embassy and relevant authorities to ensure Malawian businesses can tap into these prospects,” Mungoni said.
The 35th Malawi International Trade Fair, organized by MCCCI, runs from May 22 to 29 under the theme “Promoting Economic Transformation Through Private Sector-led Industrialisation.”
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