Malawi`s president Lazarus Chakwera on Wednesday left the country for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he is expected to attend the first Saudi Arabia-Africa Summit, before proceeding to Cairo, Egypt to attend the Third intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2023).
Speaking to journalists before departure at Kamuzu international airport in Lilongwe, the president said his visit to the two countries would help create market opportunities for Malawi`s products.
He observed that for the country to become a self reliant and industrialised one, the agriculture sector has to produce, add value to what it produces and ensure that the products have markets.
“Saudi Arabia where I am going is very rich, not only in agriculture but also in tourism and mining which is a significant roadmap to help us towards 2063” he said.
Chakwera said there was need for the country to produce more, not just for consumption, but also for export, saying his visit to Egypt would boost trade amongst African nations.
“Trade in Africa is extremely needed at this stage and we need to trade more so that we don’t rely on aid.
“But you have to produce quality products and so we want to look at all this in light of our vision and see how this country can be propelled to exponential growth because of the deliberate steps we are taking” he said.
According to a press release signed by Minister of Information, Moses Kunkuyu, the Saudi Arabia visit is critical to the signing of the Mangochi- Makanjira road construction agreement to be financed by the Saudi fund for development.
Reported by Stanley Nkhondoyachepa
