President Dr Bingu wa Mutharika says his state visit to the Peoples Republic of China is the most successfully one the Head of State of this country has ever undertaken, as he has come back with a total of K40 billion, which the new found ally has given Malawi in grants.
According to the President’s statement read by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Henry Mumba at a press conference held at the New State House in Lilongwe, Tuesday, China has given Malawi a grant of K12.2 billion for priority projects including completion of the Karonga - Chitipa road and on the parliament building and K26.6 billion for other priority projects already included in the Memorandum Of Understating (MOU).
The other money is K426 million for defense cooperation and K213 million for construction of two rural schools.
The President said that while in China the government signed three agreements namely; Trade-Economic and Technical cooperation; Economical Cooperation between the two countries and lastly Phytosanity requirements for tobacco exports to China.
He said that following the signing of the agreements the implementation of the Chitipa and Karonga road will begin to be constructed soon.
“The Chinese have assured me that the road project is now ready for take off. Also the Chinese technical mission is currently assessing the parliament building project and the project starts soon after that,” said Mutharika.
In the statement Mutharika also said that apart from the aid and the buying of Malawi tobacco by the Chinese, the agreements the two countries signed gives a window for private sector participation (private/public partnerships) and build operate-transfer arrangements.
The President appealed to the private sector in the country to take the opportunity to partner with the Chinese companies to go into joint ventures.
The Malawi leader also said that he has made sure that there will be fair trade practices between the two countries so that the relation benefits all.
“I have been careful to make sure that there is fair trade practice between the two countries and the agreement has an arrangement that will see Chinese firms opening industries in the country to produce goods for export,” said Mutharika.
He further said he went to China following the invitation by his counterpart, President Hu Jintao, of the Peoples’ Republic of China; which came barely three months after the two countries entered into a diplomatic relation.
During the visit the President opened a Malawi embassy in Beijing to enhance consolidation of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
However, the President was stunned to hear that most of the reporters were not interested in finding out more about his trip, but were rather interested in asking political questions that were not part of the purpose of the press briefing.
“I am extremely disappointed with you people of the media, because you are so fixed to some ridiculous local issues, here I am. I have brought one of the most great packages of aid, K40 billion, but you are not interested to talk about it,’ said Mutharika.
The President then told the journalists that if they want to talk politics he was ready to call a general press conference and challenged them to consult the opposition.
Mutharika further explained that the media should learn to help developing the country by refraining from too much concentration in reporting politics, but rather to talk development.
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Government says Candlelight Memorial has demystified HIV and Aids in reducing stigma and discrimination.
Lilongwe, April 01, Mana: Government says Candlelight Memorial has demystified HIV and Aids by helping in removing stigma and discrimination.
Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) Principal Secretary responsible for Nutrition, HIV and Aids, Dr Mary Shaba made the remarks on Tuesday, during the press conference held at Central Office of Information in Lilongwe, ahead of the International Candlelight Memorial that will be held on May 18 this year.
She observed that between 2000 and 2003 those tested HIV positive could not declare their status for fear of stigma and discrimination among the community.
“Candlelight memorial has had a great impact on HIV and Aids as more people are disclosing their status unlike in the past, thereby encouraging more people to go for testing,” she said.
National Aids Commission (NAC) Head of Behavior Change Interventions, Robert Chizimba concurred with Dr Shaba saying the event has encouraged resource mobilization at community level.
He said institutions have realized the impact of HIV and Aids thereby making them (institutions) mobilize their own resources for the event.
“Apart from resource mobilization, the event has increased awareness on HIV and Aids as seen by the birth of HIV and Aids support groups which have helped in bridging the knowledge gap on HIV and Aids,” he said.
Malawi Network of People Living with HIV and Aids (MANET+) Acting Programme Manager, George Kampango said Malawi is really benefiting from Candlelight Memorial, as many people have been encouraged to go for testing and disclose their sero status through this event.
Candlelight Memorial started worldwide in 1983 to remember those who died of Aids and give hope to those living with the virus. Malawi started commemorating the event in 1997.
This year’s event will be launched in Malawi on May 18, 2008 under the theme ‘Never Give Up, Never Forget.’
Malawi will hold its national Candlelight memorial at district level on May 19.
According to Dr Shaba, the Global Health Council chose Malawi as the site for the opening ceremony to officially commemorate the 25th anniversary for Candlelight Memorial because of the country’s high level political will and commitment.
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