Katsonga made the remarks on Friday in Thyolo during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Ministry of Trade and Industry.

The MoU will ensure improved coordination and upgrade MUST Institute of Industrial Research and Innovation into National Institute of Industrial Research and Innovation by March 2024.

"In the past, over 80 percent of the country's chain stores were being flooded with local products since the manufacturing industry was vibrant.

"But for decades now, the country has lost a lot since the public and private sector including the academia have been working in isolation in promoting science and technology towards enhanced industrialization and development," Katsonga said.

MUST Vice Chancellor Address Malata, says the MoU will spur industrialization in the country, adding that the university is constructing an Industrial park to allow the private and public sector to use in value addition on products for exports such as, milk which is readily available in Thyolo.

Malata said that the institution is geared to help the country in achieving the Malawi 2063 through industrial research, science and technology.

"We are doing this because we have an agenda. The mandate of this university is to advance science, technology and Innovation. In our mandate there is also push for us to work with partners. We do know that we cannot achieve our objectives if we work in isolation.

"So, we have had discussions with the ministry for the past two years and we seem to meet at a certain point because both institutions are pushing for industrialization which is pillar number 2, in the Malawi 2063," Malata said.

In the MoU, the ministry of Trade and Industry has made four commitments which include, mobilising public universities to participate in industrial research and also submitting a project proposal to treasury to set aside resources of ensuring industrial research and Innovation becomes a reality in the country.