Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/335/REV.1 |
S-II§5 |
Malawi |
2016 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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The Malawi Vision 2020, launched in 1998, is a policy framework that sets out a long-term development plan detailing economic and social aspirations for 2020. In particular, it sets the goal of Malawi becoming a self-reliant and technologically driven middle-income country by 2020. The main economic objective is sustainable growth and development, with an emphasis on manufacturing (in particular the science and technology sector) as the key driver of the economy. The primary economic strategy employed to reach these objectives is the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS).
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/335/REV.1 |
S-II§23 |
Malawi |
2016 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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There are only a few restrictions on foreign investment. Small-scale prospecting and mining operations are reserved for Malawians and foreigners who have resided in Malawi for a minimum of four years. Restrictions also apply to industries whose operations pose health, environmental, and security concerns (including manufacture of firearms, ammunition, chemical and biological weapons, explosives, or involving hazardous waste and radioactive materials). The minimum investment is US$50,000. Foreign firms are allowed to repatriate profits, dividends or any other funds.
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Keywords
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Environment
Bio
Hazardous
Waste
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/335/REV.1 |
S-III§29 |
Malawi |
2016 |
Measures |
Tax concessions |
Not specified |
Relevant information
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Malawi's legislation provides for a variety of duty and tax concessions in the form of suspensions, rebates, remissions and refunds. Tariff exemptions for a range of imports, including raw materials, machinery, and equipment, are stipulated in the Customs and Excise Act, the Investment and Export Promotion Act (section 2.4), the Export Incentives Act, and the Export Processing Zones Act (section 3.2.4). In addition, the Public Finance Management Act empowers the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development to grant concessions, including tariff rebates, on goods deemed to be of public interest in exceptional circumstances, such as natural disasters.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/335/REV.1 |
S-Box-III.1 |
Malawi |
2016 |
Measures |
Tax concessions |
Energy |
Relevant information
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Box 3.1 Industries eligible for tariff rebates
• Biodiesel
(...)
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/335/REV.1 |
S-III§41 |
Malawi |
2016 |
Measures |
Export licences, Import licences |
Not specified |
Relevant information
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(...) By and large, automatic and non automatic licencing procedures are maintained for security, public health and environmental reasons, and to promote infant industries. (...)
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/335/REV.1 |
S-Table-III.6 |
Malawi |
2016 |
Measures |
Import licences |
Chemicals, Fisheries, Other |
Relevant information
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Table 3.6 Goods subject to import licensing
Products Procedure Rationale
Radioactive substances Non-automatic Environmental, security, and public health promotion
Mist nets for the capture of wild birds Non-automatic Environmental promotion
Wild animals, wild animal trophies and wild animal products (including birds and reptiles) and any eggs produced by such birds or reptiles Non-automatic Environmental promotion
Live fish, including the eggs and spawn thereof Non-automatic Environmental promotion
(...)
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Keywords
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Fish
Wildlife
Environment
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/335/REV.1 |
S-III§42 |
Malawi |
2016 |
Measures |
Export licences, Import licences |
Other |
Relevant information
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In addition to the import licensing system administered by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, a system of trade permits remains in place for the importation and exportation of certain goods, including some agricultural commodities [28] (...)
[28] Agricultural products requiring a valid trade permit on importation include: rice; maize; maize meal; fresh milk; cooking oil; poultry and poultry products; live fish and animals (including wildlife); hides and skins; and salt.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/335/REV.1 |
S-III§57 |
Malawi |
2016 |
Measures |
Technical regulation or specifications |
Agriculture |
Relevant information
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(...) Sanitary and phytosanitary protection in Malawi involves several entities; a National SPS Coordinating Committee is chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development (MAIWD). The MAIWD remains in charge of animal health and plant protection; it shares responsibilities for food safety with the Ministry of Health and the MBS. The Ministry of Environmental Affairs (MEA) and the Pesticides Control Board regulate the importation, marketing and use of pesticides, including biological agents, in Malawi. (...)
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/335/REV.1 |
S-III§59 |
Malawi |
2016 |
Measures |
Ban/Prohibition, Import licences |
Agriculture |
Relevant information
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(...) While a general import ban on genetically modified organisms (GMO) remains in place, importation for experimental purposes may be authorized by the MEA; during the period under review the MEA has granted authorizations for GMO cotton and cowpea seed.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/335/REV.1 |
S-IV§20 |
Malawi |
2016 |
Sectors |
Technical regulation or specifications |
Agriculture |
Relevant information
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(...) All imported agriculture commodities must be accompanied by a non-GMO certificate; agricultural exports to GMO-free countries also require this certificate. The Government has allowed confined field trials for genetically modified cotton and cowpeas.
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