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Malawi Investment Promotion Agency (Mipa) and Malawi Export Promotion Council (Mepc) are expected to start working as one entity in December.
Deputy Controller of Statutory Corporations Southwood Ng’oma said Tuesday a paper outlining the operations of the new organisation has been finalised and is awaiting cabinet approval.
“But Cabinet has not discussed the paper yet,” said Ngo’ma, explaining that after cabinet’s nod, the Ministry of Justice will draft a law to be presented in the next sitting of Parliament to accommodate the merger.
Government decided to merge the two bodies in pursuance of the so-called cost cutting measures but 14 months down the line, the entities still operate independently.
The merger, announced during the last budget sitting of Parliament, was scheduled to be effected last October when a bill to facilitate the union was supposed to be tabled.
The marriage will mean government funding them as one entity, a move the private sector, who are the major beneficiary, believe will improve efficiency, cut administrative costs and deliver better service.
Mipa general manager Ted Kalebe said last week his agency is ready to start working with Mepc because the two are almost carrying out the same duties.
“We complement each other. Mipa brings investment while Mepc is a marketing agency,” said Kalebe, adding that both organisations participated in formulating the document that will eventually merge them.
Mepc was enacted in 1971 while Mipa was formed in 1991. The former’s principal responsibility is to promote, attract, encourage and facilitate local and foreign investment while the latter is responsible for all policy connected with commerce, trade and industry.
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