APM says Malawi a free trade area: Arrives in Malta for CHOGM, next stop UK

Malawian President Prof. Peter Mutharika has arrived safely in Malta for the 24th session of Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (Chogm), saying it is crucial because among his key events will be selling of Malawi as an investment destination for global investors attracting foreign investment in the process.

The Malawi leader is expected to lead the Malawi delegation at an investment promotion session to be held on the sidelines of CHOGM.

Since he attained the Presidency, Mutharika has prioritized foreign direct investment (FDI) as one of the key precursors of Malawi’s development.

Also a main feature on his schedule, is presentation of a key-note address on how Commonwealth countries can improve access to health services.

Mutharika will, in his speech, zero in on how Commonwealth’s diverse experience and expertise in the health sector can be harnessed to improve systems and outcomes for patients.

Speaking to Malawian journalists before departure at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA), President Mutharika emphasized on the importance of the meeting saying among others it will tackle issues of trade among member states.

Said Mutharika: “One of the agenda to the meeting is trade within the Commonwealth countries. As you know Britain and Australia are more advanced nations in trade issues, we will learn from their stories and hence advance in our respective nations.”

According to President Mutharika, 54 countries will be represented at the summit making it a priority for Malawi to attend.

The meeting will also tackle issues of climate change, economy and it is expected that President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena will hand over Chairmanship to Malta President.

Apart from going to Malta, Mutharika also told journalists that he will proceed to the United Kingdom for the Global Investment Forum where he will be the guest speaker.

“After the CHOGM summit I will proceed to the UK to attend the Global Investment Forum where I will be the guest speaker.

“From the Global Investment Forum, I will also attend the Chinese Africa summit in South Africa where I will meet the Chinese President on investment to Malawi,” he said.

According to Mutharika, while in South Africa, he will lobby for possible investors to Malawi as he said ‘Malawi is a free trade area’.

Malta is hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting for a second time, having successfully done so in 2005.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 53 independent states with a combined population of 2.2 billion. The association came together in 1949, after the decolonisation of the British Empire. Symbolically headed by Queen Elizabeth II, the Commonwealth includes some of the world’s largest, smallest, richest and poorest nations.

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