President Banda arrives in United States from UK
Malawi President Mrs. Joyce Banda arrived in Washington DC, USA, on Friday at 13.00 hrs (08.00am hrs Malawi local time) from London, Britain.
The President who was accompanied by the First Gentleman retired Chief Justice Richard Banda was in flight number BA217.
On arrival she was welcomed by US ambassador to Malawi Jeanine Jackson, Malawi’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ephraim Mganda Chiume and Malawi’s Ambassador to USA, Steve Matenje, at Dulles International Airport.
The Malawi leaders with the retired Chief Justice Banda were subsequently driven to Four Seasons Hotel in Washington DC where she met Malawi’s Deputy Ambassador to USA Jane Nankwenya and diplomatic members of staff and their spouses.
A little girl, Regina Lindeire presented President Banda with a large bouquet of flowers while a boy Patrick Mphepo pinned a small flowerer on the retired Chief Justice Banda’s lapel, respectively.
According to a programme released by the Malawi Embassy in Washington DC, President Banda is expected to undertake various important activities including meeting top officials of the Millennium Challenging Corporation, Daniel Yohannes, Vice President Patrick Fine for Compact Implementation; James Parks Vice President for Policy and Evaluation and Ms Alicia Mandaville Director for Policy and Country selection.
The President will also hold a briefing with Whitaker Group led by Ms Rosa Whitaker former Assistant United States of America Representative; Honourable Toby Moffet former Congressman for Connecticut, US ambassador to Malawi Jeanine Jackson and John Castello Chief Executive Officer of Citizen Network for Foreign Affairs(CNFA).
The State President will also hold discussions with Paul Hinks Chief Executive Officer for Symbion Power and Chris Campanovo Country Director for Tanzania.
She is also scheduled to have a meeting for the Malawian Diasporas and have an interview with Al-jazeera -Talk to Al-Jazeera; Voice of America (VOA).
The Malawi leader is expected to have audience with Dr. Rajiv Shah administrator of United States Agency for International Development(USAID), Ms Helen Clark administrator United National Development Programme(UNDP), Managing Director of International Monetary Fund(IMF) in Pennsylvania Avenue and Ms Sri Mulyani Indrawati Managing Director of the World Bank.
