President of Leather Industries Association of Malawi (LIAMA) Edward Malunga has applauded the government through Ministry of Trade and Industry for sponsoring their activities.

Malunga said this in an interview with Faceofmalawi reporter.

“I wish to express my profound gratitude to government which runs projects called Malawi Enterprises Productivity Enhancement (MEPE) under COMESA which sponsors local and international Trade Fairs and sponsor trainings plus big events,” he said.

Launched on November 3, 2016 at Capital hotel in Lilongwe, the association aimed at transforming the country’s economy.

Malunga said the association was formed in 2013 with the help of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the association has over 200 paid up members who run the association plus government funds.

“At the moment we don’t have our own office, we temporary use SMEDI for our meetings which is within Blantyre,” said Malunga who is the owner of Bantu Arts and Crafts Malawi situated in Trade Fair stand number 6.

Leather President further said that the main challenge that the association is facing at the moment is the emerging of dubious associations that are busy squandering people’s money.