President Chakwera Praises Mozambique for Inaugural Nacala Port, Calls for Stronger Regional Cooperation
President Chakwera underscored the need to maximize the potential of the revised agreements, particularly in the areas of transport and trade facilitation.
NACALA, Mozambique— President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera extended his congratulations to President Felipe Nyusi and the Government of Mozambique during the inauguration ceremony of the expanded Nacala Port in Nacala, Mozambique, writes Vincent Gunde.
President Chakwera commended the milestone and the generous spirit of partnership demonstrated by Mozambique, emphasizing the importance of strengthened regional cooperation.
In his address, President Chakwera stressed the unique significance of the occasion, as it is uncommon in Africa to witness one nation actively contributing to the prosperity of another.
He applauded the gesture of partnership exhibited by Mozambique and expressed his belief that it would foster greater collaboration and coordination among the three nations: Zambia, Mozambique, and Malawi.
President Chakwera underscored the need to maximize the potential of the revised agreements, particularly in the areas of transport and trade facilitation.
He emphasized that enhanced cooperation on trade and transport, as well as continued collaboration on energy supply and distribution, would be pivotal to boosting productivity within the Nacala Development Corridor.
Dr. Chakwera urged officials from all three countries to expedite ongoing energy projects, citing the Malawi-Mozambique Power Interconnector Project launched in April 2022.
He urged the acceleration of its implementation to meet Malawi's urgent need for industrialization and economic growth.
Furthermore, President Chakwera called for swifter progress on tapping power from Zambia, stressing the completion of all necessary processes since 2018.
He emphasized that the feasibility studies on the Malawi-Zambia Interconnector should be hastened, as this is crucial for Malawi's industrialization, economic development, and energy needs.
President Chakwera projected that the strengthened cooperation among Mozambique, Zambia, and Malawi would lead to inclusive growth in various sectors, including energy, agriculture, and manufacturing.
He anticipated increased employment opportunities and heightened consumer demand, urging the private sector to capitalize on the prospects created by the modernized Nacala Port and the resource-rich Nacala Development Corridor.
In conclusion, President Chakwera emphasized that regional economic integration hinges on cooperation and collaboration between nations, building trust to enhance bilateral relations.
He emphasized that trust is essential for facilitating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and achieving its intended objective of improving logistical efficiency and reducing costs in conducting business among the three nations.