President Lazarus Chakwera Saturday joined President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi and the President of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema in inaugurating Nacala port infrastructure which will boost the economy of the three countries.
Speaking during the ceremony in Nacala city on Saturday, the Malawi leader described Nacala port infrastructure as key for strengthening regional collaboration and economic integration in three countries.
“When we speak of regional economic integration, we must understand that it cannot be done without regional cooperation and collaboration.
“And when we speak of regional collaboration, we must understand that it cannot be done without building trust between our nations to enhance our bilateral relations. Without building trust, the work of facilitating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will simply be too difficult to achieve,” he said.
Chakwera then urged the two countries to further enhance cooperation in energy supply and distribution to promote the production of manufactured goods and productivity along the Nacala Corridor.
“Let me urge officials from Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to work steadfastly on implementing energy projects between the three countries. One case in point is the Malawi-Mozambique Power Interconnector Project which was launched in April 2022. Implementation of that project has to be speeded up.
“Similarly, while Malawi has been tapping power from Zambia through a line from Chipata to Mchinji since 2018, I urge officials on both sides to speed up the on- going feasibility studies on the Malawi-Zambia interconnector. This is important because we urgently need power for industrialisation, which is critical for the economic growth and development we all long to see,” he added.
In his remarks, President Hichilema commended President Nyusi and the Government of the Republic of Mozambique for fast-tracking the rehabilitation and expansion of Nacala port describing it as a milestone and remarkable gesture of partnership and generosity towards Zambia and Malawi.
He said the port would greatly support Zambia and Malawi in shortening the distance and reducing the cost of transporting goods to and from the respective countries.
Taking his turn, President Nyusi urged Malawi and Zambia to invest more in rail and road infrastructures to improve transport and trade facilitation.
Meanwhile, the three heads of state have signed the revised Nacala Development Corridor Agreement (NDC-Agreement) and two other agreements on Rail and Road Transport to enhance regional cooperation, economic integration, and trade competitiveness.
Through the countries’ execution of the agreements, they intend to have a vibrant Nacala Corridor that is attractive to both local and international investors.
At the same time, the other agreements will provide guidelines to improve transport and trade facilitation through the removal of non-trade barriers to trade, including physical and non-physical ones.
Reported By Memory Kutengule Chatonda
