China gives Malawi K40billion
The Chinese Government has given Malawi K 40 billion for infrastructure development as well as other programmes.
Dr. Bingu Wa Mutharika President of Malawi said this recently upon arrival in Malawi after his one week visit to China.
Dr. Mutharika said this is the one of the biggest aid a country has given to the Southern African country.
Part of the money will construct a road in Northern Malawi which has stalled for many years.
The other projects include construction of a stadium, a conference centre, improvement in agriculture as well as trade sectors.
“We have found a right partner in development . Our relationship with China has been growing since three months ago when we established diplomatic relations,” he said.
He said there is need for cultural exchange between the two countries to cement the growing relations.
Dr. Mutharika visited Chengdu, Shenzen, Beijing as well as Shangai during his familirisation tour of China.
He spoke to a number of companies to partner with Malawians in opening up companies that would employ many people in Malawi.
In another development, it has been announced that over 440 products will be exported to China duty free following the agreement the Malawi Government made with their Chinese counterpart.
A number of agreements were signed when DrBingu Wa. Mutharika held talks with Hu Jintao , President of China
Minister of Trade and Industry Henry Mussa said in an interview a number of companies in China will team up with their counterparts in Malawi to establish industries in many agricultural products.
He , however said the government of China will still pay custom duty on goods it will be exporting to Malawi.
“Already the Deputy Minister of Trade in China will be coming to Malawi to discuss with the business community to find ways how they can pair up to open up factories,” he said.
He said the tobacco and cotton factories will be established in Malawi which will employ many people.
He said tobacco and cotton processing will in future be done in Malawi and not outside the country.
After discussing with President Dr. Mutharika President Hu Jintao thanked Dr.Mutharika for coming to China saying the relationship will benefit peoples of the two countries.
In another development, The Malawian Foreign Minister Joyce Banda said in an interview, China had said they can buy any quantity of tobacco as long as it is of good quality.
He said it is up to Malawi to grow as much tobacco as possible.
Tobacco is the number one export earner for Malawi.