Flanders gives K32.5bn for secondary cities
Flanders Government has committed 25 million euro (about K32.5 billion) to spur the development of secondary cities in the country through various projects.
Flanders Government representative Geraldine Reymenants said her government was hoping that the financed projects will facilitate the upgrades.
“Kasungu District has been earmarked as one of the secondary cities because of its influence and potential for agricultural growth. The district also has potential for industrial development,” said Reymenants.
Malawi launched the secondary cities plan last year to facilitate sustainable economic growth and promote broad social welfare gains for citizens.
Under the initiative, eight secondary cities, namely Karonga, Nkhata Bay, Kasungu, Chipoka in Salima, Mangochi, Liwonde in Machinga, Luchenza in Thyolo and Bangula in Nsanje on a pilot phase.
Speaking in Lilongwe on Tuesday when the Government of Flanders launched the 2024-28 Strategic Plan, Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale welcomed the proposed funding, saying Kasungu will create linkages for urban cities.
The secondary cities initiative is touted as key to propelling urbanisation as articulated in Sustainable Development Goal Number 11 which entails making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. The Malawi Secondary Cities Plan is also guided by the Malawi 2063’s Malawi Implementation Plan (MIP-1) urbanisation pillar.
Flanders is a Dutch-speaking region in the northern half of Belgium.
