Last week, the Minister of Labour Ken Kandodo and his deputy Vera Kamtukule held a meeting with the Rab Group of Companies group, in an effort to involve the company in the government’s creation of 1 million jobs per year.

Rab chief executive officer, Ahmed Sunka, outlined that the group would be able to provide part of the jobs if the government would curb smuggling, which according to the CEO, is inspired by high tax on local products. “If we are able to cut demand for imported products, then we will see a lot of jobs being created.” said Sunka. On the other hand, Sunka suggested that giving incentives to investors in rural areas would also help to create jobs in villages, adding that creation of secondary bigger cities would help to check rapid urbanisation.

Kandodo outlined that the meeting is one of many to be implemented with various companies, to find out what they need to create at least one million jobs. Under its 5 subsidiaries, the Rab Group employs 2000 workers collectively at Kulimagold, A1 Enterprises, Top Foods and Lifestyle Industries. Founded in 1983, Rab Processors Ltd is a leading player in the Agro Industry in Malawi and specializes in exports of agricultural produce grown in Malawi and provision of farm inputs which are key requirements in Malawi’s Agro-Based economy besides production and distribution of a range of food and non-food products.