Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) postponed the Malawi International Trade Fair (MITF) after five countries pulled out, citing the tension amidst the political environment in the country.
Indonesia, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia and China had pulled out of the fair after noting that Malawi is amidst protests towards the results of the 21 May Tripartite Elections, as opposition party Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has been marching against the presidential results. United Transformation Movement (UTM) has drclared the results as lacking credibility, citing alleged irregularities amidst polling centres. MCCCI has therefore postponed to August from the 6th to 15th, 2019, in hopes that the tension would have calmed by then.
A statement by MCCCI reads “Being an international trade fair, participation of international exhibitors is key at the MITF”. The trade fair was scheduled to take place from June 20 to 30 under the theme ‘achieving competitiveness through integration into regional value chains.