UK tells Malawi government to partner private sector
The United Kingdom (UK) has asked the Malawi Government to partner with the private sector to help grow and strengthen the economy to achieve Malawi 2063 (MW2063).
British High Commissioner to Malawi Fiona Ritchie said this in an interview on the sidelines of King Charles III birthday celebrations in Blantyre on Thursday.
She said Malawi desperately needs strong economic growth which the government cannot do on its own.
Ritchie said: “I really hope that the Malawi Government is able to work closely with the private sector to make sure the legislative environment is correct and to make sure that there is as little red tape as possible and to really encourage the private sector to do what it does best.”
She said to build a vibrant private sector, Malawi needs to be a country where businesses and investors find it easy to grow and expand.
The envoy said this will mean authorities making numerous difficult decisions at a time of great economic challenges.
Ritchie also said the UK being a long-standing friend of Malawi, remains committed to help the country in economic growth and realisation of MW2063.
“As the UK, we will continue to do our part to create an enabling business environment. The UK’s new developing countries trading scheme that comes into force provides a more generous trading arrangement for Malawi with simplified and flexible rules of origin,” she said.
The High Commissioner further said the UK will always cherish the relationship with the Malawi Government and that they remain confident it will continue getting stronger.
Blantyre City Mayor Wild Ndipo, who was guest of honour, in a separate interview said the relationship between the UK and Malawi has been of great importance in various ways.
He said: “The relationship between Malawi and the United Kingdom is beyond and deeper rooted and continues to gain momentum time and again.”
Ndipo said the beneficial aspect of the relationship has manifested in various ways.
For example, he said the UK Government, in the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy provided support in affected areas.