The Maravi Post

On 14th May, I join Malawians from all walks of life with all the teeming memories of the past, surging back in time to remember the official birth of Dr. Hastings Banda, first president of the Republic of Malawi, whose name got written in the books of death in November 1997. Reasons for remembering Dr. Banda are not the same for different people. To some he was almost the messiah and to others a dictator who committed many crimes against humanity.

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OPINION

When people apply for University Education whether as generic or upgrading students I do believe they have the conviction that they can keep abreast with the tempo and challenges associated with abstract critical thought and higher mental faculties. I am also of the belief that everywhere else across the globe within the spheres and confines of academia; University Education is meant to mold critical thinkers and scholars worth the pinch.

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STATE HOUSE
PRESS STATEMENT
10 MAY 2013

7 COMPANIES DECLARE INTEREST TO INVEST IN MALAWI

CAPE TOWN: At least seven companies that held discussions with the Malawi delegation at the World Economic Forum on Africa which ends today in Cape Town, South Africa, have declared their interest to engage into further discussions with Malawi for investment in the country.

The companies are Cargill – Cotton; Bunge – Sugar and Legumes; Uniliver – Oil seeds; Monsanto – Seed Production; United Phosphorous – Fertiliser manufacturing Feed Crop Manufacturing and Agico- Farm Equipment.

The seven companies are among the 27 private sector companies that Malawi mobilised and engaged on specifics of their interest in the country.

President Dr Joyce Banda, who has since returned to Malawi, has described the forum which pooled together African Heads of State and Government, business captains, members of the academia and civil society, as highly successful.

The forum reflected on a wide range of economic issues affecting the continent including how to accelerate economic diversification; boost strategic infrastructure, unlock Africa’s talent, promote governance on the continent and develop new business models for Agriculture.

This is the first time that a Malawian Head of State has participated in the World Economic Forum for Africa.
On trade, the Malawi delegation participated in a number of trade and investment related forums where they shared the country's vision of a private sector-led growth, and improvements Malawi is making to make it a more favourable destination for doing business.

"In this regard, we shared what we are doing in reviewing existing laws and policies in order to better facilitate trade and investment in Malawi.

On agriculture, President Banda participated in the high level forums on Grow Africa and the Leaders Council Meeting as preparation for Malawi to become a partner in the G8 New Alliance For Food Security and Nutrition. This announcement will be made at the G8 meeting in London on June 8, 2013.

"I look at our participation in the New Alliance as a strategy to accelerate investments in Agriculture.

"I had the opportunity to listen to some of the experiences of the countries that are already in the New Alliance like Ethiopia, Ghana and Tanzania and it was very clear that they have benefited from their participation through increased volumes of investments in agriculture from foreign and local investors, creation of jobs, boosting of markets domestically and internationally," said the Malawi leader.

During the meetings Pesident Banda highlighted that the Malawi Government has given priority to the agriculture sector and adopted a new approach of looking at agriculture as a business.

The President also informed the meetings that Malawi is one of the few countries in Africa to have met the Maputo Declaration of allocating at least 10 percent of its national budget to the agriculture sector for consecutive years.

The Malawi leader also shared that Malawi has developed an agriculture private sector investment plan which identified specific investment opportunities that would allow joint ventures with Malawian firms as well as public private partnerships with the Malawi Government.

"I also highlighted the importance of making sure that the benefits of agriculture really trickle down to the rural households. I repeated my call for the need to bring real incomes to the households, and making sure agriculture benefits women and the youth," said President Banda.

On Women’s Leadership, the Malawi President, Dr Nkosazana Zuma-Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, the Minister of Finance for Nigeria, took the opportunity of the Forum to bring issues of women’s leadership to the table.

They argued a case for increased attention to women farmers in the Grow Africa Initiative.

"I also particularly made a call for the grand strategy for the promotion of women’s potential in leadership positions. I asked the delegates to consider all the levels at which women should be supported."

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Other Presidents that attended the Forum were, President Jacob Zuma, President Good Luck Jonathan, President Boni Yayi, President Kikwete.

Other High Level Participants were Former President Mozambique H.E Chissano of Mozambique, Former President of Ghana, H.E John Kuffuor of Ghana, Former Secretary General of the UN, Kofi Annan, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and representatives from the G8 Countries notably UK Secretary of State for DFID Ms Justine Greening, USAID Administrator Mr Raj Shah.

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OPINION

Truth must be told whether one likes it or not. And those telling this truth must do so boldly and without fear or favour. The indisputable fact is that the Economic Recovery Programme is bearing fruit.

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JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ

ISSUED AT THE END OF THE HIGH LEVEL MEETING WITH DELEGATION FROM THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

10^TH TO 11^TH MAY, 2013

Communiqué

1. Desirous to strengthen and consolidate the bilateral relations between the Governments of the Republic of Malawi and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a Delegation from the United Arab Emirates, led by His Excellency Mr. Khalid Ghanim Al Ghaith, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for Economic Affairs, visited Malawi from 10^th to 11^th May, 2013.

1. His Excellency Mr. Khalid Ghanim Al Ghaith and his delegation arrived at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) on 10^th May, 2013 and was received by Honourable Ephraim Mganda Chiume, M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Malawi and other Ministers. The delegation proceeded to pay a courtesy call on His Honour the Vice President, Right Honourable Khumbo Kachali, at his residence.

1. During the visit, Her Excellency Dr. Joyce Banda, President of the Republic of Malawi hosted a dinner in honour of the visiting delegation which was held at the Kamuzu Palace on 10^th May, 2013.

1. A High Level Meeting was held on 10^th May, 2013, and was   chaired by Honourable Ephraim Mganda Chiume, M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The meeting was attended by Cabinet Ministers from the following Ministries: Finance; Justice and Constitutional Affairs; Labour; Industry and Trade; Energy and Economic Planning and Development. The Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development also attended the meeting. The following Government institutions also attended the meeting: Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi; Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority; National Oil Company of Malawi; and National Roads Authority.

1. During the meeting, both sides acknowledged the existing cordial bilateral relations existing between the two nations, which date back 1996 and stressed on ways of further strengthening the relations for the mutual benefit of both countries. It was agreed that the two sides would shortly conclude agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in various sectors. The United Arab Emirates will submit to Malawi the following Agreements: Technical Cooperation; Economic Cooperation; Avoidance of Double Taxation; Protection  and Promotion of Investment; Labour; and Bilateral Air Services.

1. In his statement, the Minister of Industry and Trade, highlighted trade and investment opportunities in Malawi. The Malawi Investment and Trade Center (MITC) also made a presentation on investment climate and opportunities in Malawi. The Ministries of Finance and Mining also made presentations on economic situation as well as the mining sector in Malawi and the need for companies in the United Arab Emirates to come and invest in Malawi. The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) also briefed the meeting on the electricity generation capacity in Malawi and the need for more investment in this area in order to meet the electricity demand, which is currently suppressed due to low generation capacity.  

1. In their response, representatives from Mubadala Petroleum, Taqa, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and Ducab explained the status of their investments in neighbouring countries as well as other parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. They expressed their readiness to invest in these areas, once all the formalities are finalized.  

1. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Honourable Ephraim Mganda Chiume expressed gratitude for the fruitful deliberations during the meeting.  

1. On his part, His Excellency Khalid Ghanim Al Ghaith expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and proper coordination of the visit. He stressed that their coming was the beginning of ongoing consultations, and another delegation will come in the near future to engage with the Private Sector in Malawi. He also urged members to provide contact details with each other in order to provide room fo further follow-up.
2. His Excellency Khalid Ghanim Al Ghaith and his delegation departed on 11^th May, 2013.

Issued at Lilongwe, Malawi

11^th May, 2013 

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