MIKE VAN KAMANDE
Lilongwe, May 22, MANA: Minister of Trade and Industry Simplex Chithyola Banda says government hopes the Malawi Investment Forum (MIF) slated for May 24 to 25 in Johannesburg, South Africa, will attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) deals that will boosts the country’s economic growth and development.
Speaking in Lilongwe on Sunday before departing for Johannesburg South Africa where the MIF will be held at Emperor’s Palace, Trade and Industry Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda said government is hopeful the first of its kind investment forum will provide a platform to potential investors in South Africa and beyond.
“The Forum will give potential investors, financiers and business captains an opportunity to engage and explore investment opportunities available in Malawi in the energy, mining, agriculture, tourism, health and education as well as financial services and ICT. Malawi needs to be proactive rather than reactive in attracting trade and investment opportunities and deals hence the MIF is one such initiative that aims at enhancing industrialization and development,” Chithyola Banda said.
Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) Chief Executive Officer Paul Kwengwere said he is optimistic they will generate investment leads for power generation, mega farms, agroprocessing, tourism and mining and also find markets for Malawi’s products such as processed coffee, rice, groundnuts among others.
Secretary for Trade and Industry Christina Zakeyo said the MIF will showcase both public and private projects earmarked for promotion.
“FDI creates ease in international trade, facilitates job creation, drives human capital development apart from enhancing economic growth and development,” she said.
The inaugural Malawi Investment Forum will be held under the theme: ‘A Prosperous Malawi through Strategic Investment Partnerships’.
,” Chithyola Banda said.
Nattional Bank of Malawi NBM chief executive officer Macfussy Kawawa said the Forum will showcase the capabilities and opportunities for Malawi from an investment point of view that will forge bankable investment partnerships.
“NBM is committed to the promotion of entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which are the engines for economic growth and development. We have seen congruence in what we as a bank stands for and what the Forum strives to achieve hence the donation,” he said.
The Malawi Investment Forum will be held under the theme: “A Prosperous Malawi through Strategic Investment Partnerships” and I am glad that National Bank has recognized the importance of strategic partnerships and has answered the call.