Chinese investors eye agriculture, education

An eight-member business delegation from China has said it is interested to invest in agriculture, education and industry sectors which coincide with Malawi Government’s investment priority areas.

The investors are in the country for the first-ever Malawi-China Investment Forum 2016 which was held in Lilongwe yesterday.

Speaking when they met President Peter Mutharika at the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Monday, leader of delegation Song Wei Ping said the investors from Anhui Province are prepared to showcase their capabilities at the Malawi-China Investment Forum.

He said: “I think that in future we have much to do here such as mechanised irrigation agriculture and seed production. When we go back home, we are also going to tell our colleagues about the business potential in Malawi.”

Song, who is also the vice-governor for Anhui Province in China, said from what they have read, Malawi has potential for investment.

On his part, Mutharika, who last year visited Ahui Province, said in spite of numerous investment opportunities, Malawi’s industry remains  narrow; hence, the need for serious investors to take advantage of the available opportunities.

“We need transformation investment that will substitute imports and propel exports. As such, you are welcome to establish industries in a wide range of sectors.”

Mutharika also told the investors that development in all the three sectors they are interested in are below optimal levels, therefore, their interest to invest in technical colleges is going to develop in rural areas.

The forum has attracted 89 investors from China.

The two governments have organised the forum as one way of boosting trade and investment between the two countries.

Principal Secretary for Industry, Trade and Tourism Cliff Chiunda said the forum will give Malawian investors a chance to meet their Chinese counterparts and strike working deals.

“This is exactly what government is advocating if we are to grow as an economy. There are many opportunities in the country that remain untapped.