BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)— As Malawians are debating the merits and demerits of the State of the National Address (SONA), delivered by President Mutharika at the opening of the Sixth Meeting in the 46th Session of Parliament and the 2017/18 Budget Meeting in Lilongweon Friday, the United Kingdom Government has applauded the Malawi leader for incorporating real issues in the national address.
Speaking to Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), British High Commissioner to Malawi Holly Tett, said it is interesting to note President Mutharika’s assessment of some of the challenges that the southern African country is facing and the solutions government has put in place to address them.
Reacting to the speech the President made on Fridayduring the opening of Parliament’s 2017/18 budget meeting, High Commissioner Tett noted that a lot of issues in the President’s State of the Nation Address are relevant as Britain considers Malawi one of its important partners.
Among other areas, she cited the country’s economic growth rate projected at 6% and Malawi’s inflation figures coming down to a single digit.
“I think that’s really positive news for the Malawian people. That’s something that the British government wants to support.
“We spent £150 Million here last year. I hope we will do the same in support of government priorities going into the year ahead, and there’s really an interest to us how that money will be spent, and we look forward to the budget,” HC Tett said.
She further pledged to work with Malawi in the areas of women and girls education, health governance, and human rights.
The envoy applauded the progress the country has registered in the area of arresting illegal wildlife trade.
“Malawi has a good story to tell, because you’re really increasing your prosecutions in this critical area, and we hope to work alongside you on this issue going forward,” Tett pledged.
She was quick to point out that her government is not, at the moment considering resumption of budget support to Malawi, but would continue to assist through different channels outside government systems.
Tett nonetheless hailed the World Bank Board’s decision to inject an $80 million credit to the Malawi government towards general budget support. Malawi got the World Bank approval earlier this month on 4th May.
“It’s a real opportunity for Malawi now, to demonstrate how it can use that money effectively for the development of Malawi.
“Everybody will be watching very closely how that money is spent, and hoping that Malawi then gets the second tranche,” she said.
When asked about her view on the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s 9th review of its Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme with Malawi, HC Tett described it as a positive development.
She however, cautioned on the need for Malawi to address critical governance sections of legislations, such as the Public Audit and Public Procurement Bills.
“The discussion around these in getting these right, is really critical to underpin the economic reforms that the President wants to see,” she stressed.
Tett, who took up her appointment in January 2017, succeeded Michael Nevin as the British High Commissioner to Malawi.