As government is boasting to have turned around the economic fortunes, by making readily availability of essentials such as forex and fuel –other business experts are thinking otherwise.
President Joyce Banda said last week that her two years in office has turned the graphs especially for the most critical economic indicators such as forex availability, interest rates and exchange rate management.
She said the local currency (kwacha) has turned to appreciation against world major currencies from 450 in January to 417 in March.
She also mentioned the forex and fuel availability as something Malawians should appreciate.
However, much as there is general consensus that the country has fuel in abundance a grouping of local entrepreneurs feels the availability of fuel in the country should not be mistaken otherwise.
According to Mike Mlombwa, president of Indigenous Business Association,( IBAM), said the steady availability of fuel in the country is only because fuel prices have become unaffordable for an average fuel consumer.
Mlombwa therefore could not appreciate its availability in pump stations.
“This day, refueling is a problem on its own; people stopped driving on useless trips because fuel is so expensive such that it is generally unaffordable.
“In this regard I cannot say things are better, fuel is available because it is not being bought as it is too expensive full stop.” Mlombwa who owns a car hire firm said.
