Business News

Joyce Banda to improve business environment

Malawi President Joyce Banda has announced her ambition of placing Malawi among 100 best countries in as far as the ease of doing business is concerned.

Banda said this at the Bingu International Conference Centre in Lilongwe on Monday where she addressed a Malawi-Nigerian business forum which was also attended by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.

Said Banda: “We are committed to seeing businesses operate with ease. I want Malawi to be among top 100 countries in ease of doing business in two years.”

The 2012 Doing Business Survey by World Bank put Malawi on position 145 out of 183 countries across the world in as far as the ease of doing business is concerned. Last year, Malawi was on position 141.

Banda also re-echoed her dream of eradicating poverty through a sustainable economic growth and wealth creation programme.

In his earlier remarks, Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) president Matthews Chikankheni noted that since Banda took over government in April this year, the private sector has seen some improvements in doing business.

Chikankheni said a lot of businesses in China, India and other parts of the world have shown interest to invest in Africa.

In his presentation titled ‘Investment and Trade Opportunities in Malawi,’ Ministry of Industry and Trade Principal Secretary Nerbert Nyirenda lured potential Nigerian investors to come to Malawi, saying the country has a stable political and economic environment, respects rule of law and is rich in natural resources.

Nyirenda also challenged potential investors that Malawi has a disciplined pool of labour force.

According to World Bank 2012 Doing Business Survey, Malawi has fallen in the areas of registering property, starting a business, getting credit, protecting investors, resolving insolvency, paying taxes and trading across borders.

The survey says Malawi registered an improvement in getting electricity and enforcing contracts, jumping one place above in both areas, while dealing with construction permits had no change in 2012.

Related Articles

Back to top button