Science and technology significant to economic development

The Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) has stressed the need to employ science and technology in developing Malawi’s resources.

MCCCI president Matthews Chikankheni was speaking in Blantyre on Thursday at the opening of the second science and technology fair co-organised by the chamber and the National Commission of Science and Technology (NCST).

He said a country has to go through a process to become innovative through development of science and technology.

“For a long time, this country has failed to sustain the economic growth achieved in the past years because of weak foundations of the basic structural and economic fundamentals due to lack of greater capacity to develop and strengthen science and technology.

“The Malawi economy has passed through and is still faced with quite a number of economic challenges to create a favourable climate for investment. These challenges are there not because we do not have the resources, but due to our inability to sustainably use them. What is missing in the chain is the development and use of science and technology to develop our resources to create a favourable environment,” he said.

Minister of Education, Science and Technology Eunice Kazembe said the application of science and technology remains the driver for industrial development.

“We in the ministry do recognise that as a nation, we rely on advances in science and technology in almost every facet of our lives,” she said.

This year’s fair is being held under the theme ‘Science and technology: Catalyst for industrialisation.’