APM seeks Norway help on new railway, road networks

Malawi President Peter Mutharika has asked Norway to help Malawi in developing a new railway system and a modern road network connecting with neighbouring countries.

He was speaking on Tuesday when he received a five-member Norwegian delegation led by visiting State Secretary Hans Brattskar at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.

“We would be grateful if Norway could assist us in developing a bankable project proposal for upgrading and also the development of a new railway system for Malawi and also a transport corridor that connects Malawi with Zambia through the Tazara railway system,” said Mutharika.

He saluted Norway for choosing Malawi as a focus country in receiving priority treatment in Norway’s development cooperation programme aimed at reducing poverty through robust socio-economic programmes.

Mutharika noted that Norway has been pivotal in promoting education of girls in Malawi as evidenced by the $5. 1 million (about K2.2 billion) Joint Programme on Girls’ Education (JPGE) aimed at improving access and quality education for girls in Mangochi, Salima and Dedza in 79 schools by 2017.

The JPGE is supported by the Norwegian Government, through the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), World Food Programme (WFP) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) activities.

Mutharika thanked the Norwegian Government for also helping Malawi in the promotion of human rights and in development endeavours in key sectors such as health and agriculture and for offering substantial aid during this year’s flood disaster in the country.

He appealed to Norwegians to turn Malawi into a regional investment hub that would blossom through the regional economic and business bodies, binding countries in the eastern and southern Africa.

Earlier, Brattskar conveyed his government’s condolences to the President and his government over the devastating floods the nation has experienced this year.

He said the government, assisted by the international bodies, cooperated well in assisting the thousands of affected people.

The State Secretary explained that his visit focuses on the promotion of girls’ education, adding that his government will continue to support many other projects, including in the fields of agriculture, climate change, food security and health.

He said from April, Norwegian and Malawian officials will hold seminars and discussions on the execution of more bilateral projects, including the promotion of trade and investment.