In its October Economic Review Report, the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) concluded that the trade balance in the short to medium-term will worsen owing to continued inadequate exports.

MCCCI said the successful import substitution can be achieved in the short-run by targeting local industries that do not require a lot of investment and relying too much on imported raw materials. On the other hand the Reserve Bank of Malawi noted that the trade balance continued to widen at the start

of the third quarter this year as exports declined by 1.9% to $77.3 million (about K58 billion) while

imports increased by 7.8% to $308.2 million (about K231 billion).

While the county’s economy is already suffering amidst large sums of credit to pay back and the coronavirus pandemic, exports and imports will sufffer more as truck drivers have been on/off strike; Weeks ago, it was confirmed by a circular by G4S Secure Logistics, that truck drivers were on strike, therefore delaying company’s deliveries. Weeks forward, it has been confirmed that the strike has gotten real, as Truck drivers have closed the country’s borders to incoming and outgoing cargo to force authorities resolve their grievances .

The drivers are calling on the government to meet their employers in addressing pay, lack of bonuses, risk allowances and processing of professional driving permits as well as cost of passports.