Chaponda hails India for continued support to Malawi: Addresses India-Africa Forum

Malawi government has said is grateful to the Indian government for the support it provides to this country under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme.

Under this programme, African countries, including Malawi benefit through capacity building, skills development, and imparting of specialized skills by Indian experts in various fields.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr George Chaponda said this when he addressed fellow foreign affairs ministers at the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi, Indian on Tuesday, October 27 2015.

The Malawi Foreign Minister noted that skills development, particularly among the youths has been beneficial for Malawi where government has also prioritized the provision of Community Technical Colleges to enhance vocational skills development for the youth and offer them job opportunities and entrepreneurial skills.

Chaponda, who is leading the Malawi delegation to the Summit, said youth unemployment remains the country’s key challenge that poses a threat to peace and prosperity.

“It is for this reason that President Peter Mutharika was appointed the Champion of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Youth Programmes in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March, 2015.

“The programmes are aimed at addressing the challenges faced by the youth with respect to health, education and economic opportunities. The main emphasis, therefore, is not merely to treat the youth, as leaders of tomorrow, but as partners of today,” Chaponda said.

The Foreign Affairs Minister further said the Africa-India Partnership, founded on the principle of mutual benefit, underscores the need for head of States and Government to engage in a consultative process in order to ensure sustainability in the projects they are implementing.

Chaponda also hailed the government of India for extending the Duty Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme for goods for least developed countries (LDCs) to ensure increased market access to India by more African LDCs.

“It is not surprising therefore, that major projects under this partnership are a success, as African countries and their leaders decide on the key priority areas of focus that affect their people the most and pave the way for sustainable development.

“This aspect of our partnership is critical to achieve sustained economic development, as only Africans will develop Africa, of course in partnership with our colleagues such as India,” said Chaponda.

He also hinted that through the India-Africa Union collaboration, Malawi will host the India-Africa Institute of Agriculture and Rural Development, which he said, is designed to build and strengthen existing efforts in agricultural productivity, research, and innovation.

“I invite you all, to take keen interest in this institute, as it supports our common goal of turning Africa into a food basket. I strongly believe this is attainable, and that through this institute, we will focus our industrial capacities, on making this a reality,” he asserted.

President Mutharika sent a delegation of five ministers and six technocrats as cost cutting measures.

The other ministers are Labour Minister Henry Mussa, Dr Allan Chiyembekeza, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development; Trade and Industry Minister Joseph Mwanamveka; Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe and Minister of Mining, Energy and Natural Resources, Bright Msaka.

The Malawi delegation is expected to negotiate for several projects, including a $23 million credit line to aid Blantyre Water Board tap potable water from Mulanje Mountain that will serve Blantre residents and surrounding districts like Chiradzulu and parts of Thyolo.

Government is also trying to secure funds for Lilongwe Water Board to pump water from Lake Malawi.