Ministry of Transport Highlights Urgency of Increasing Malawi’s Exports

Malawi’s Secretary for Transport, David Mzandu, highlights the need to boost exports over imports to benefit from the Nacala Corridor development. The ongoing Tripartite Meeting addressed project reviews and collaboration among stakeholders from Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. The corridor aims to lower cargo costs, enhance trade, and is part of a World Bank-funded initiative expected to conclude by 2027.

The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr. David Mzandu, has articulated the necessity for Malawi to enhance its export volume, surpassing imports, to reap the benefits from the Nacala Corridor’s development. During the 9th Tripartite Meeting of the Nacala Development Corridor Management Committee in Lilongwe, he emphasized the importance of reviewing ongoing projects and fostering collaborative efforts for future initiatives.

Mr. Mzandu noted that the corridor management is still nascent and requires substantial work. He highlighted that one of the key impacts of fully developing the corridor will be a significant reduction in cargo landing costs. Currently, a large portion of Malawi’s cargo is transported via road from Beira and Dar es Salaam, and the Nacala Corridor aims to lower these expenses considerably.

The meeting convened essential stakeholders, including representatives from Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia’s private sectors, to discuss advancements and share valuable insights. The project’s objective is to reduce transport costs while enhancing trade integration within the southern African region.

Mozambique’s Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, Mr. Ambrósio Adolfo Sitoe, highlighted that the corridor’s advancement would create new opportunities for handling existing and future cargo, alleviating current constraints posed by inadequate facilities. He expressed that this initiative is vital for economic growth and strengthening regional integration.

The Nacala Corridor development is financed by the World Bank under the Southern Africa Trade Connectivity Project (SATCP), launched in 2021, with an anticipated completion date set for 2027.

In conclusion, the emphasis laid by the Ministry of Transport on increasing Malawi’s exports is crucial for capitalizing on the potential growth offered by the Nacala Corridor. Stakeholders from the region are collaborating to reduce costs and improve transport efficiency. As the development progresses, it holds the promise of significant economic benefits and enhanced trade integration between Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia.

Original Source: www.nyasatimes.com