By Chancy Namadzunda, African News Reporter in Lilongwe
May 5, Lilongwe, Malawi: Malawi and Zambia are the first countries in Southern African Development Community (SADC) to introduce a duty-free status under the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) for goods valued at 500 US dollar.
The status which is aimed at promoting small-scale business is being financed by the European Union (EU).
Speaking at the launch of the STR programme held in the bordering district of Mchinji, Alex Baum said the programme will help to improve the economies of the two countries.
-It has been a long way since the STR agreement in 2007. This will help small traders from the two countries to carry their goods over the boundaries of these two states with greater ease and more understanding, he said
The Commonwealth Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) is the overseer of the implementation between the two countries which Malawi and Zambia will start implementing in May.
