Chinese Businesses to boost trade in Malawi
The Chinese Chambers of Commerce (CCC) new country chairman for Malawi Shaoui Chen has said the organisation will strive to continue creating networks between Malawi and the Chinese business community for the mutual benefit of the two sides.
Chen said this earlier this week in Blantyre at his unveiling ceremony held in Blantyre.
He noted that that relationship between Malawi and China goes back in time and now that the world is a global village, the two countries have shared cultures, arts and most importantly trade.
“The relationship between the two countries has been beneficial for both countries. That is why this organisation is very important for the advancement of trade, commerce and enhancing our cultures and at the same time strengthening our relations,” he said.
Chen said apart from concentrating on the trade and commerce, the leadership will continue to support the less privileged.
He said: “Previously we have shown compassion to our Malawian brothers and sisters in Nsanje when they were hit by floods last year by donating goods worth K13 million. Recently the leadership led the group to also donate to Zomba mental hospital.”
“The group has entrusted us with a huge responsibility and it is my hope that we are not going to disappoint those that elected us.
On his part, outgoing chairman for Chinese Chambers of Commerce Jiang Qingxi noted that Malawi has been a right investment choice for Chinese investors encouraging the Chinese business community to continue putting up various investments that contributes to the development of the country.
Chen, takes over from Qingxi who has been at the helm of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce for 6 years.
Malawi and China have been in diplomatic relations for over 10 years. From 2000 to date, there are approximately over 21 Chinese official development finance projects identified in Malawi.
These projects range from a $70 million grant to build the Karonga-Chitipa highway linking Malawi with neighboring Zambia in 2008, to an $80 million loan from the Export Import Bank of China to construct a university for science and technology (Must) in the district of Thyolo in 2011 just to mention a few. n
