On Thursday 20th June, most shops in Lilongwe, Blantyre, Zomba and Mzuzu remained closed, following the country wide protests against the May 21 election results. Shops that resolved to remain open, bemoaned poor patronage.
Chamber for Small and Medium Business Association Executive Secretary, James Chiutsi, said that citizens have a right to protest, but the uncertainty being created by the protests has negatively affected the businesses.
Prior to the medium businesses facing poor or no customers due to the protests, Indonesia, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia and China had pulled out of Malawi International Trade Fair, citing the tension amidst the political environment in the country. Hoping that the tension would have been cleared by then, MCCCI has postponed the fair to August.