By Frank Phiri:
Standard Bank plc has launched a stakeholder engagement platform dubbed ‘Growth Conversations’ aimed at enhancing consensus-building and collective bargaining on economic policy.
Speaking at the launch of the initiative in Lilongwe, Standard Bank Head of Brand and Marketing Tamanda Ng’ombe said the move is a continuation of the bank’s positioning to contribute to national development discourse.
Ng’ombe said the new platform will see the bank broadening its stakeholder-engagements to stimulate the economic policy arena.
- Advertisement -
An inaugural conversation takes place tomorrow at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe under the theme ‘Towards Economic Recovery and Growth; Embracing Sustainability’.
- Advertisement -
“Growth Conversations will build on our track record of leading in dialogue that translates into reforms in economic policy and national development,” she said.
She said Standard Bank-led dialogues have produced tangible results in key sectors of the Malawi economy, such as infrastructure, energy, mining, agricultural productivity, tourism and Foreign Direct Investment.
She cited construction of the Malawi rail stretch of Nacala Corridor, restructuring of Escom’s foreign-currency denominated debt with the DBSA as some of the positive outcomes in infrastructure and energy.
Recently, the bank’s dialogue forums have positively impacted on tourism, trade and mining following the government’s removal of Visa entry restrictions into Malawi, implementation of the Mining Development Act and revitalisation of commercial agriculture using renewable and eco-friendly energy sources, she said.
- Advertisement -
“These achievements demonstrate the power of dialogue and collaboration. By working together, we can achieve far more than we can alone. Through Growth Conversations, we will continue to facilitate open and honest dialogue that drives economic growth,” she said.
The inaugural Growth Conversations forum will bring together key economic stakeholders, including the Bank’s customers.
