By Frank Phiri, contributor:
Standard Bank plc Chief Executive Phillip Madinga has hailed the government’s decision to scrap off visa restrictions into Malawi, saying it will help the country increase foreign exchange inflows.
Madinga, whose bank has been advocating for the relaxation of the visa requirement, described the government’s decision as timely as foreign currency shortage remains a challenge.
“The development will help make Malawi an attractive tourism destination and boost foreign currency flows in the long term,” he said.
Removal of visa restrictions is one of the bottlenecks identified during the bank-led Business Leadership Round-Table, a forum where government, regulatory agencies, donors and private sector players meet to discuss policy reforms.
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Home Affairs Minister Ken Zikhale Ng’oma announced the removal of the entry restrictions in a Gazette published on Wednesday.
It said the government has lifted the restrictions for 48 countries including USA, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, China and Russia which are considered key source markets for international tourism and business arrivals into Malawi.
The visa exemptions also apply to all Southern African Development Community and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa member states, including some multilateral institutions that do business with the Malawi government.
