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Malawi
In November 2001, a preliminary mission was fielded to Malawi to
establish working arrangements with the government, establish processes
for recruiting local IF team members and establish the scope of
the Terms of Reference.
An IF National Steering Committee was set up consisting of government
officials, private sector representatives, development partners,
and non-governmental organizations. The Ministry of Commerce and
Industry serves as the focal point for the IF National Steering
Committee.
The main mission took place in April/May 2002. The team
prepared a draft DTIS, which was circulated to the authorities and
reviewed by the members of the IFWG. The national workshop took
place in September 2003 and was approved by the Government in
February 2004.
Earlier in 2003, a National Growth Strategy for Malawi was adopted,
which was developed by the Department of Economic Planning and the
National Action Group, a high level forum of leading businesses,
economic ministers and donors. This strategy has incorporated many
of the DTIS findings.
At the workshop, discussions during the break-out session focused
on the transport sector, trade facilitation, trade policy
formulation and coordination and enhancing the capacity and trade
support institutions.
Based on the outcome of the workshop, the
DTIS
and Action matrix were revised (pdf - 525k) in November 2006. A consolidated
action matrix was prepared, integrating the National Growth
Strategy and the results of the IF exercise. The National Steering
Committee approved this consolidated matrix.
Follow-up activities included a trade and transport facilitation
audit by the World Bank to strengthen the country’s trade
integration and competitiveness. This audit was completed in September
2004.
With EU funding, the government hired an international consultant
to assist the government in EPA negotiations. The World Bank
prepared a Private Sector Development project, with trade issues
incorporated in this project.
The 2006 PRSP fully incorporated trade issues and DTIS
recommendations.
Two Window II projects were launched:
- Trade policy advisory and capacity
building
- Standardization, quality,
assurance, accreditation and metrology project
The Government is preparing an export strategy, which
will include the revised DTIS action matrix.
Page last updated on
20 May 2008
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