The Atlas Malawi

Tag: Saudi Arabia

  • Mangochi-Makanjira road to facilitate inter and intra trade activities – Chakwera

    Mangochi-Makanjira road to facilitate inter and intra trade activities – Chakwera

    President Lazarus Chakwera has described the Mangochi-Makanjira road project as crucial for social-economic development of the country.

    He made the remarks Saturday during the signing ceremony of memorundum of understanding between Malawi and the Saudi Kingdom on the Mangochi-Makanjira road project at the Saudi Development Fund offices in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    Chakwera hailed the cordial relationship between Malawi and Saudi Arabia which he said is based on trust and dating back to 1999.

    “I am extremely grateful with the relationship with Saudi Arabia which has since taken us to other levels; for example, the Mangochi-Makanjira road project which will have potential to facilitate inter and intra trade activities,” said the President.

    Chakwera highlighted that Saudi Arabia also supported Malawi with Phalombe District Hospital and the Makwasa-Bangula road, among other projects.

    He disclosed that apart from the Mangochi-Makanjira road, government will also prioritise more road infrastructure developments in all the three regions of the country.

    Apart from signing the Mangochi-Makanjira road project agreement, Chakwera added that he has also asked the Saudi Arabian government to assist Malawi with fuel and fertiliser issues.

    Meanwhile, the President has invited mining investors from Saudi Arabia to come to Malawi and explore the existing opportunities.

    On his part, Chief Executive Officer for the Saudi Development Fund, Sultan Alamarshand, said Saudi Arabia will speed up the process for the project to start.

    He said he was happy with Chakwera’s commitment as shown by his availability at the signing ceremony of the Mangochi-Makanjira road project.

    Alamarshand said Saudi Arabia has set aside over $20 million for the commencement of the Mangochi-Makanjira road and assured Malawi of the Kingdom’s willingness to support Malawi with other development projects.

    Reported by Maston Kaiya in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

  • Chakwera off to Saudi Arabia, Egypt

    Chakwera off to Saudi Arabia, Egypt

    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