President Lazarus Chakwera has extended an olive branch to prospective investors to come and invest in Malawi and make trade partnerships in various opportunities of investment and partnership that are available in the country.

Chakwera made the call during his virtual speech from Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe as part of activities to mark the official opening of the two-day Malawi Investment Forum (MIF) currently underway at Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg-South Africa.

In his speech, Malawi leader said the Malawi Investment Forum is being held in South Africa not only because it is one of the largest economies in Africa but also because South Africa is Malawi’s biggest trade partner.

“I invite you to consider investment and partnership opportunities to our economy which are centered on Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining. Do not miss out on the investment windfall coming on Malawi way as we are committed to addressing legislative, administrative, and legal reforms that reduce the cost of doing business,” said Chakwera.

The President disclosed that Malawi is on the course to secure new markets globally through leveraging membership to both regional and international protocols for integration and markets.

He added that Malawi is poised to become the next biggest investment destination through government initiatives of various reforms to ease the burden and remove the bottlenecks of doing business in the country.

In his remarks, Minister of Trade, Simplex Chithyola Banda said Malawi has prioritized trade and investment in its diplomatic mission as such officers have been deployed to various missions including the consulate in Johannesburg.

“Investors should not face hurdles, delays, or obstacles when investing in Malawi. This is why over the past years government of President Chakwera has implemented a number of reforms aimed at creating a conducive business environment,” said Chithyola.

Meanwhile, Malawi’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Stella Ndau has said MIF signifies the importance of foreign investment to the development and growth of Malawi’s economy through numerous business and investment opportunities that are being initiated and that the MIF will create.

Minister of Trade and Industry, Simplex Chithyola Banda is currently in Johannesburg leading Malawi to the Investment Forum that the country’s embassy has organized in South Africa.