Malawi government hails European Union support
Malawi government has said it expects continued and an even stronger partnership with the European Union (EU), which is currently one of Malawi’s key development partners.
The majority of Malawi’s donors started channelling their aid through Non-Governmental Organisations or directly into planned projects— ignoring the nat ional budget—following the wanton plunder of public funds now dubbed Cashgate.
Speaking on behalf of the Malawi government at the opening of the Southern Africa Regional and National Authorising Officers meeting, Minister of Industry Joseph Mwanamvekha, hailed the EU’s support, saying it continues to impact lives of many Malawians.
The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP Group) Secretariat organised the meeting in collaboration with Malawi’s ambassador to Belgium and the EU, Ted Kalebe.
The meeting, which ends today, is expected to allow participants who include cabinet ministers from the Sadc region, senior officials, and the private sector exchange their experiences on the implementation of various European Development Fund (EDF) programmes in their countries.
The authorising officers are also expected to deliberate the management of aid under the multi-annual financial framework of the 11th EDF which entered into force in March 2015.
Mwanamvekha said Malawi is one African country which significantly benefits from the EU.
“The prospects of our relationship with the EU are good and we hope that we will continue to benefit from the EU through its programmes. Already there are several projects which the EU is funding. They have even helped during this hunger period,” said Mwanamvekha.
On corruption — which still remains one of Malawi’s—biggest challenges, Mwanamvekha said government is committed to eradicating it.
“Eradicating corruption will allow us get maximum benefits from the resources that we get from our partners through different means,” he said.
In an earlier interview, Acting Secretary General of the ACP Group Secretariat, Henrique Banze, said the group’s members need to be seriously involved in the development of their countries.
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