Home / Policy areas / Growth and Resources Policy / Trade / Trade Development Institutional Needs

Project Information

The project objectives were to identify the main problems with the present institutional arrangements for conducting trade policy in Malawi and propose an Action Plan to achieve an improved organisation. The work was organised via an initial survey of stakeholder opinions of the conduct of trade policy validated by a workshop involving representatives of the government and the main stakeholders. This is turn was informed by a 'benchmark trade policy system' proposed by the OPM team. The benchmark system was compared systematically with the actual performance in Malawi to identify the areas in main need of improvement. This comparison led to the preparation of a draft action plan that was further validated in a workshop with key staff of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Following this the OPM team prepared a comprehensive and costed action plan for further discussion with both Ministry staff and with prospective donors.