The Governments of Finland and Greece on Friday pledged to work with Malawi government in the areas of agriculture, trade and investment, tourism among other areas.
The two countries’ envoys to Malawi, Timo Olkonnen (Finland), and Leonidas Contovounesiso (Greece), made the commitment separately when they presented letters of credence to President Peter Mutharika at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
The first to present the letters was the Finish Ambassador designate and he told journalists later that his government would increase trade and investment opportunities in the country to strengthen the private sector.
“We want to strengthen corporation through non-governmental organizations and we will also work in the areas of agriculture, access to justice, women empowerment and humanitarian aid especially in the wake of the floods,” explained the Finish Ambassador who will be operating from Lusaka, Zambia.
In his remarks after presenting his letter, Greece Ambassador, Contovounesiso, also said his government would concentrate in the areas of agriculture, especially tobacco and fisheries, and tourism owing to the vast experience his country has in these areas.
“We know how to manage water and its resources such as fish,” said Contovounesiso.
“And in the area of tourism, Greece is a country that received over 18 million tourists last year and we believe we can work with Malawi in that area as well.”
He added that Greece would offer scholarships for some Malawi Defence Force (MDF) officers to visit a military academy in his country and that as Commander-In-Chief of MDF, President Mutharika was going to look into the process.
Two other envoys, Caridad Perez Gonzales, from Cuba and Kwon Yung-Kyu from the Republic of Korea also presented letters of credence to President Mutharika.
The two and the Greek Ambassador will all be residing in Harare, Zimbabwe.
