Invest in Malawi, Tembo urges UK based Malawians of Asian origin

Malawi Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom John Tembo Jnr has asked Malawians of Asian origins to return and invest in their country, saying the legislative, business and political environment is conducive for any investor.

Tembo made the call after touring Fashion Fabrics Transprinters, Europe’s 5th largest  textile supplier Ismail family and Letsa Packaging Plc owned by Farouk Alimahomed family both Malawians of Asian origins.

“Malawi needs your contributions to grow economically and deliver development to its people. The new administration of President Peter Mutharika has already compiled of compendium of investment opportunities, launched the one stop Malawi Trade and Investment Centre and will listen and act accordingly in all areas to protect investors,” said Tembo.

Chairman of the Malawi Asian Organisation-UK Mr. Sony Pandekar said the grouping and its associates were now worth £5 billion pounds and considers Malawi as their home, as such appealed to Government to decide on immigration issues such as citizenship status for them to be ably invest in the country.

Alimahomed said there are close to 23,000 first and second generation Malawians of Asian origin in the United Kingdom engaging in productive sectors, paying taxes and could contribute effectively to growth of Malawi’s economy.

MAO was formed in 1982 mainly by Malawians of Asian origins who left after Government issued an order restricting rural areas to indigenous Malawians in the mid 1970’s. According to the Chairman its group members has managed to create over 32,000 employment opportunities.

Fashion Fabric Transprinters Limited is Europe’s 5th largest supplier of high quality fabric and sales between 25 to 30 million metres of cloth to top Europe’s fashion retailers while Lesta Packaging provides packaging suppliers to the United Kingdom and Ireland.