Government has challenged the private sector to step up and act as off-takers for local products that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are producing for exports and import substitution.

Minister of Local Government, Ben Phiri, said through the Malawi Enterprise Development Fund (MEDEF), government is providing loans to SMEs and cooperatives to produce more, but they need the private sector to be a bridge for them to exploit international markets, substitute imports and bring in much-needed forex that can buy crucial commodities like fuel.

Phiri spoke Wednesday after inspecting progress of construction of the Thyolo and Limbe upstairs markets funded by the TRADE Programme, stressing that government is pushing for production of commodities.

He said "Malawi cannot continue to rely on imports when local producers have the capacity to produce, if given the necessary support and market linkages".

Thyolo District Commissioner, Noel Dakamau, said the K15 billion project has experienced delays due to soil tests.

However, he said the council will engage the contractor to mobilise most of the construction materials and speed up the two-year project, since the company received 40 percent of the sum.

The markets, once completed in the next 24 months, are expected to provide modern trading space and boost economic activities for traders in Thyolo and Limbe.