MALAWI:
Government Money-Saving Measure Costs Traders Dearly

7/27/2010 10:36:25 AM

Lilongwe - The Malawian government’s new cost-cutting prohibition on the hosting of conferences and workshops on the shores of Lake Malawi has hit small-scale merchants who ply their trade on the roadsides and beaches of the fresh-water lake.

In March 2010, Malawi’s office of the president and cabinet (OPC) released a government circular instructing all government ministries and departments to cease holding functions at the lake to cut costs. Hilda Mapira, who has been running a vegetable stall on the road that leads to the lakeshore district of Mangochi in southern Malawi, is worried about her fresh produce business. Mapira says that she is worried about being able to provide for her family, the new law is costing her her livelihood. Government argues that it spends large amounts of money on accommodation, food and transportation for the people who travel to the lakeshore resorts for the meetings. Sam Botomani executive director of The Malawi Tourism Association says that the decision to stop lakeshore meetings will have negative implications for the tourism industry. Botomani says that are so many Malawians working in hotels and resorts along the lakeshore. These people may eventually lose their jobs if there’s no business. The short sighted attempt to save government funds may end up doing more damage in the long run. (END/RADIO EDITOR/2010)

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