…..OSAMADZIPEPESA DAILY….
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera has urged Malawians to consider investing their hard earned money to change the economic status of their lives.
Chakwera made the remarks on Thursday at Coca-Cola Beverages Malawi Limited (CCBML) Head Office at Kanengo in the City of Lilongwe, where he presided over the launch of a new Coca-Cola Beverages Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) machine.
The President observes that most Malawians waste their money on trivia.
He advised the people to borrow a leaf from Coca-Cola Beverages Malawi Limited and put their money to good use.
Chakwera said a recent Reserve Bank of Malawi report indicated that in the past year, money amounting to MK19 trillion was transferred on mobile phones only using Mpamba and Airtel money platforms, an indication that Malawians have money.
The Malawi leader pleaded with Malawians change their mindset and start saving their hard earned money, to avoid falling prey to some opposition leaders who go about convincing them that he (President Chakwera) is the reason they are poor.
“Let’s not be cheated, many Malawians have money but they lack investment skills. Citizens who care so much about their country, or family would never go about spending their hard earned cash anyhow. Learn to invest your money,” he said.
Minister of Trade and Industry Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba the investment is in accordance with President Chakwera’s Agriculture, Tourism and Mining (ATM) Strategy to help advance industrialization agenda for Malawi.
Mumba said his ministry will not relent to push for necessary reforms until Malawi is able to produce and be self reliant.
Mumba added that the Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) line by Coca-Cola Beverages Malawi is a milestone from policy to production.
The minister explained that the move by CCBA has shown confidence in the country’s leadership by the investors.
Chief Executive Officer for Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Sunil Gupta said the US$14.2 million investment will help contribute to the country’s social and economic development while at the same time, offering superior service to the consumers.
Managing Director for Coca-Cola Beverages Malawi Limited Neil French said the new state of the art facility will help increase production levels to 19200 bottles per hour, as well as create new employment opportunities.
Coca-Cola Beverages Malawi Limited (CCBML) is a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), the largest Coca-Cola bottler in Africa. CCBA operates in 15 countries, including its six key markets of South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mozambique and Namibia, as well as Tanzania, Botswana, Ghana, Zambia, the islands of Comoros and Mayotte, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Malawi.