BLANTYRE--Described as a globetrotter by her critics who accuse Pres Joyce Banda (JB) of spending K308 million for a 42 member delegation to the United Nations, the Malawi leader is in South Africa and her next stop is Belgium.

Her Press Secretary Steve Nhlane told the Daily Times she couldn’t "ignore" the invitation by the European Union from Belgium because it was of "extreme importance."

Nhlane, who has had tough time defending JB's highly criticised local and international trips at a time when the economy is in a tailspin, said "It is extremely important for the government to attend the function as it will enable it to resuscitate links with its EU development partners most of whom the former regime severed ties and either stopped working with the Malawi government."

He added: "The issue is not that the President should not make foreign trips. If they are important to Malawi, the government will continue to make them because they are beneficial."

From New York, JB arrived in South Africa on Sunday to attend an investor conference. She is expected to arrive back home Tuesday before she leaves for Belgium.
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(c) The Maravi Post 2012. Reproduction without acknowledgement prohibited.

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