Building capacity for the Malawi Cross Border Traders’ Association
Lilongwe, Malawi – The International Trade Centre (ITC) collaborated with the Malawi Cross Border Traders’ Association (CBTA) to deliver a three-day consultative and capacity-building workshop at the Bridgeview Hotel from 19 to 21 May 2021 in Lilongwe.
The workshop facilitated consultations with the leading members of the Malawi Cross Border Traders’ Association in reviewing its constitution, the development of a new strategic plan as well as good practices in association management. Thirty-five of the Association’s headquarter and branch office representatives attended the workshop.
The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Malawi Cross Border Traders’ Association, Mr. Lackson Kapito, stated that the workshop served as an important platform to assess gaps and make necessary amendments to the constitution. He expressed his gratitude to the International Trade Centre for providing the technical support in reviewing the constitution and developing the strategic plan.
Both outputs, to be completed in the next few weeks for validation and operationalization, are expected to enhance the Association’s management and governance capacities.
The workshop was also instrumental in familiarizing participants to good practices in association management, which are key for drafting the new strategic plan.
“The workshop has been a tremendous help in bringing awareness about the important issues that would need to be incorporated into the strategic plan and constitution of the Association, which will be the guiding documents to enhance membership in the future.”
Msowoya Victoria, Secretary of the Karonga CBTA Chapter
“The strategy that has been put in place is in line with the current scenario, the issues on the ground and it will definitely benefit a lot of people as cross border traders”.
Linly Kamanga, member of the Salima CBTA Chapter
“Including good association management practices as elements of the strategic plan as well as key features of the constitution are instrumental in guiding CBTA leadership.”
Miyoba Lubemba, Senior Programme Officer, International Trade Centre
The International Trade Centre (ITC) organized the workshop as part of a series of institutional capacity-building interventions of the COMESA Cross Border Trade Initiative (CBTI). Funded by the European Union and implemented by the COMESA Secretariat in collaboration with ITC and the International Organization for Migration, the COMESA Initiative facilitates and increases small-scale cross-border trade flows between targeted COMESA Member State countries through institutional capacity building and better data collection and monitoring.