Malawi Pres. Banda makes stopover in Dubai: Hold talks with UAE Minister of Labour
President Joyce Banda, on her way to Japan this morning, had a stopover in Dubai, UAE, where she met with Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Labour for the United Arab Emirates and discussed several issues relating to the emerging relationship between two countries.
President Banda briefed the UAE Government on the developments in Malawi and her Government’s commitment to overcome poverty through economic growth and wealth creation especially jobs for the youth.
The President also highlighted her vision to turn around the villages into centres of growth and development through the Mudzi Transformation Trust.
The President also shared with Minister Ghobash, Malawi Government’s decision to strengthen bilateral relations with the Government of the United Arab Emirates.
The President informed the Minister that since Malawi’s economy is now recovering, the Government is now focused on a transformational agenda where “we want to ensure that bottlenecks to the economy are completely overcome; jobs are created for our people especially the youth and women, and that our people earn decent incomes into their households”.
The President noted the diversified level of investment activity taking place in the United Arab Emirates and their demand for labour, noting: “Dubai has demonstrated to be a diversified society, a vibrant economy and a multicultural city. Malawians are disciplined, skilled and trustworthy and would provide an attractive labour to the UAE.”
Saqr Ghobash acknowledged the reputation of Malawian workers and assured the President of the commitment of the UAE Government to work with the Malawi Government and support its development plans.
The UAE minister said a Memorandum of Understanding to have Malawians work in Dubai is ready and about to be signed. This will allow many Malawians especially the youth to secure jobs and learn skills which they can take back home after end of their assignments”.
“I am pleased to assure you, Madam President, that the UAE Government will work very closely with you in many fields for the mutual benefits of our peoples. We have taken keen interest in the Mudzi Transformation Trust programmes and we want to follow up on this”, said Saqr Ghobash.
According to Presidential Press Secretary, Steven Nhlane, the President stopped over in Dubai en route to Yokohama, Japan, where she will be among several African Heads of State and Government attending the fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (Ticad).
The conference will be held from June 1 to 3, 2013 and President Banda is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, among other side engagements.
