Lilongwe, August 6: President Prof. Peter Mutharika took his time during a three day visit in Zambia to congratulate the country for supporting Malawi’s Shire-Zambezi water way, one of the major projects being implemented by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
According to a Communiqué from the State House, Mutharika said when fully implemented, the water way would provide a direct access to the Indian Ocean through Chide in Mozambique to the landlocked Malawi and Zambia.
The President further said the water way would cut down on the transportation costs of both imports and exports and enhance competition of exports from the two countries at the global market.
“Mutharika applauded the government of Zambia for partnering with Malawi on the shire Zambezi water way project whose feasibility study report was out.
“The president also announced the construction of a dry port at Liwonde through the Nacala and invited Zambia to patronise it when it is ready,” reads part of the statement.
The Zambian President, Edgar Lungu pledged for continued support and cooperation in all areas including agriculture, tourism, security and trade.
Lungu also emphasized on the need for the two countries to take advantage of the existing bilateral, regional and global mechanisms including the Joint Permanent Commission of the Cooperation(JPCC) COMESA, African Union (AU) and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
Apart from the water way, Mutharika asked his counterpart to avail training opportunities in mining for Malawians since the country was diversifying into mining.
He said, “Malawi lacked expertise and skills in negotiating mining deal and actual mining. Therefore, the country would be sending students who would then be trained with long established Zambian mining institution at various levels.”
The two leaders also agreed to take care of the youth by empowering them with technological skills and creating a conducive environment for their entrepreneurial life.
Mutharika who was invited to open the agriculture and commercial show hinted on the need for the two counties to also focus on technologies that considered the role of women.
Other engagements during his visit, Mutharika laid wreaths at the Zambians late Presidents, Michael Sata, Levy Mwanawasa and Fedrick Chiluba respectively.
The Malawi leader further visited the former Zambian President, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda at his retiring home.
