Furious gemstone exporters demand immediate end to “reckless” export ban, threaten action.
Malawi’s gemstone exporters have issued a scathing ultimatum to the government, demanding the immediate lifting of what they call a crippling and reckless ban on mineral exports, or face unspecified consequences.
In a fiery press briefing at Maula Parish in Lilongwe on Sunday, Annie Kamanga, chairperson of the aggrieved exporters, minced no words.
“The ministry of Trade and Industry has until Tuesday to lift this punitive ban, or we will be forced to take matters into our own hands.”
While Kamanga stopped short of disclosing their next move, her tone left no doubt that tensions are boiling. “We are tired of being treated like criminals for contributing to the national economy. Enough is enough,” she fumed.
The exporters slammed the ministry’s February 12th blanket ban on mineral exports, which was initially supposed to last 21 days, but has now dragged on for over 40 days. The fallout, they say, has been catastrophic – collapsed contracts, a spike in illegal smuggling, revenue losses and growing rural poverty.
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