Chilima made the remarks at the Malawi fashion weekend which was held in Lilongwe on Friday.

Chilima said the country’s fashion industry can be used to sell Malawian culture to other countries and can be used as a means of
creating employment opportunity among people.

However Chilima observed that there are beautiful creations and designs which are failing to see the light of day due to lack of resources and exposure.

“I really don’t think there are any barriers nowadays.There are other platforms that are available, if one can get on Face book or tumbler or Instagram and other chat rooms and showcase their designs, and people will pick them up from there if they are noteworthy," Chilima said.

"I am encouraging talented people to start showcasing their designs on such available platforms and the government is there to provide the much needed support.”

The fashion and arts designing industry in Malawi has a lot of players struggling to prosper due to lack of funds and other resources making it difficult for the designers to use it as a means of tourism attraction.

Guest designer at the Malawi Fashion Weekend show, John Dumelo, a Ghanaian fashion designer and actor, said he was impressed with the creations displayed at the event.

Dumelo who owns his own clothes line called J Melo, hailed organisers for the event which he described as one of the platforms which will encourage Malawian designers to aim higher to bring out their designs to the world.

“I hope the Malawian designs are shown on a larger scale so that the whole world can see that Malawi is the new kid on the block in the fashion industry.

“As every journey of a thousand miles begins with a few steps, Malawi has taken its first few steps and in the next 2 maybe 3 years, Malawi will develop in terms of fashion and arts industry just as is the case with countries in West Africa,” Dumelo said.

Lilly Alfonso, the African ambassador for the “Iam Africa Fashion” which was hosted in Amsterdam earlier this year, and one of the fashion designers who has brought Malawi fashion designs on the world map, stole the night’s fashion display with her new creations.

Alfonso explained that the aim of the Malawi Fashion Weekend was to empower all new and upcoming designers as well those already in the business economically.

“Most designers in the country are not making enough money because they are not meeting the right people who want to showcase and buy their designs such that the organisation of such fashion shows as this one will help bring all designers in the limelight."

“I will use my position as the ambassador for the Iam Africa Fashion to bring forth Malawian and other designers from all over Africa into the limelight so that they meet real fashion retailers and get their exposure.” Alfonso pledged.

Fashion experts feel that there is a lot of unexplored talent in the fashion, arts and culture sector which if empowered, will help unveil the country’s culture and tourism industry to the outside world.