By Mike van Kamande:
The Abu Dhabi Chambers of Commerce says it is committed to investing in Malawi in the energy, agriculture and water transport sectors.
Speaking on Monday in Abu Dhabi, UAE during a meeting with Malawi Minister of Trade and Industry on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Annual Investment Meeting, Abu Dhabi Chambers of Commerce First Vice chairperson, Ali Sawed Bin Harmal Aldhaheri said his country is interested to invest in and import from Malawi.
“We are particularly interested in areas of renewable energy where we want to invest in the provision of sustainable energy supply. We are also interested in agricultural produce where we want to import beef, goat meat, vegetables and other cereals from Malawi,” he said.
Bin Harmal Aldhaheri said UAE would like to contribute towards smart city development and their new interest is on Lake Malawi by providing ships.
UAE is also interested in exploration and mining of various minerals in Malawi.
In his response Malawi Trade and Industry minister, Simplex Chithyola Banda said government is ready to create a conducive environment for investment and facilitation of trade between the two countries.
“If all these deals materialize, Malawi will join other countries that export huge commodities into Dubai ranging from meat and meat products to agricultural produce such as cereals and vegetables. We also stand to benefit from huge investments in the energy and infrastructure sectors which will transform our economy and infrastructure development,” he said.
Banda said UAE commitment to invest in Malawi comes at a time when the Malawi President has met the UAE authorities in the recent years where the former made several commitments to invest in the Warm Heart of Africa.
It is also expected that many trade deals will be signed between UAE and Malawi Government which will see UAE investing in Malawi.
The Abu Dhabi Annual Investment Meeting has brought together many countries to engage the UAE on various partnerships and deals with the Malawi delegation having members from the Green Belt Authority represented by CEO Erick Chidzungu, Malawi Investment and Trade Centre represented by CEO Paul Kwengwere, among others.
Chithyola Banda is one of the three key-note speakers who will address the forum on May 10 on the topic ‘Open Government Policy on Social Development; Creating an Investment Friendly Environment’.
