People expressed optimism on Wednesday in Thyolo where Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Henry Mussa launched Luchenza Municipality Council.
Traditional Authority Nthiramanja of Mulanje said people expect big companies and organisations to establish their businesses in the area in addition to having street lights installed.
Andrew Machinjiri, a Luchenza resident, appealed to commercial banks to start recognising property in the municipality as collateral for loans.
“Banks do not recognise the property we have as collateral as they argue that this is a rural area,” he said.
Laban Shumba, a businessperson in the area, said the business community is looking forward to additional shopping and office complexes and that more feeder roads should be bituminised.
