Malawi, others to benefit from K2.1 billion grant

Malawi is among other least developed countries to benefit from the Australian Government grant to help developing countries deepen their integration into the world economy.

Australia is contributing 2.9 million Australian dollars (about K2.1 billion) to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) of the World Trade Organizatiuon (WTO).

The fund seeks to assist countries in strengthening their sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) capacities to access global and regional markets more easily.

Speaking in an interview, Ministry of Trade and Industry Principal Secretary Christina Zakeyu said they are on the right track in documentation to support Malawi’s application to benefit from the grant.

She said: “As Malawi, we are ready to benefit from the programme. We will be submitting our project proposals to the STDF on standards.

“The ministry is working with the SPS implementing agencies to develop project proposals that will allow us to tap from this opportunity and transform our country economically.”

Zakeyu said the ministry is working with the Malawi Bureau of Standards, agricultural research stations and Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development to ensure that Malawi gets the funding.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has since welcomed Australia’s generous support to developing countries, saying it will help in tackling SPS-related challenges and keeping agricultural producers out of global agricultural markets.

“This will benefit producers along regional and global value chains, helping them raise export revenues, incomes and living standards.

“The STDF will continue to deliver inclusive and safe trade solutions worldwide, with Australia’s ongoing support,” she said.

Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell said Australia’s contribution to the fund makes the country one of the facility’s most active supporters.

“The Australian Government is steadfast in its commitment to open and transparent agricultural markets.

“We are pleased to support developing and least-developed countries in the Indo-Pacific to integrate into and benefit from access to the multi-billion-dollar global agriculture market,” he said.

The STDF is a global multi-stakeholder partnership to facilitate safe and inclusive trade. It responds to evolving needs, drives inclusive trade and contributes to sustainable economic growth, among other goals.