President Lazarus Chakwera has called on industry stakeholders to increase value addition and exports for Malawi to generate more forex.
Chakwera made the remarks Friday when he toured Tropha Estate and Kwithu Kitchen in Mzimba District.
Tropha Estate processes and exports paprika, chillies and macadamia nuts while Kwithu Kitchen, a Luwinga community-based organization, focuses on processing honey and tomato within the city of Mzuzu.
Chakwera commended Tropha Estate for its initiatives which he said are ploughing money into the country.
Tropha Estates started growing macadamia nuts in 2015 using precision irrigation system and it covers an area of over 1,250 hectares.
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At Kwithu Kitchen, Chakwera emphasised the need for Malawi increase value addition to the country’s raw materials to boost their competitiveness on both domestic and export markets.
He called on industry players to increase volumes of manufactured products to substitute imported ones that put a drain on foreign currency reserves.
“I am very impressed by Kwithu Kitchen’s huge investment in processing plants to add value to agricultural produce, including tomatoes and honey. This is the way to go in order to ensure that the country’s economy grows sustainably,” Chakwera said.
He said value addition is in line with the country’s development blue print, MW 2063, which is premised on innovation in the exploitation of local resources to create national wealth that is inclusive.
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Speaking to people at Ekwendeni Trading Centre in Mzimba District after inspecting Tropha Estate, Chakwera suggested that his critics could use the energy they spend on insulting him in helping devise ways that would develop the country.
Chakwera said he is not bothered by those who insult the Presidency, highlighting that is the reason Section 4 of the Protected Flags and Emblems Act (of 1967) was amended.
“Yankhulani zakukhosi, musaganize ndikumangani, chifukwa lamulo ndinachotsa. [Speak out freely; do not be afraid I will arrest you because I amended the law],” he said.
Parliament amended the Act in November 2022.
He said such sections of the public have the right to free speech.
Chakwera then bemoaned the tendency of some people in the government who are tasked to supervise and implement social interventions but are on top of perpetuating corruption.
In her remarks, Catherine Gotani Hara Member of Parliament for Mzimba North East Constituency asked for a district hospital for her area considering that the central hospital in Mzuzu is always overwhelmed.
Chakwera commenced his two week-long visit in the Northern Region on March 1 2024.
The visit to Tropha and Kwithu Kitchen was last but one activity in the Northern Region.
On Thursday, Chakwera also toured some project sites in the district.
He toured construction works at M’mbelwa Stadium and M’mbelwa Council office complex.
He promised speedy construction works on both projects.
Additional information from Malawi News Agency (Mana)
