By Chikumbutso Mtumodzi, Dowa
There is a barrage of criticisms from some quarters targeting President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, apparently for undertaking ‘many’ international trips, particularly in relation to the current forex and fuel scarcity.
Most of the criticisms are to the effect that the President must not travel in order to save forex. Unfortunately, this notion has been widely parroted by all and sundry, many of whom don’t even know its implications.
This is where some people need to be enlightened. The issue of presidential trips vis-a-vis scarcity of forex is more of a chicken and egg scenario. We are even more dammed in Malawi if the President cannot travel.
It is important to understand that over 70% of President Chakwera’s trips are fully-funded for by the hosts. In other words, those who invite the President undertake to pick up the tab. They pay for his trips.
It is also important to understand that these trips are not a case of give-us-the-money-since-we-did-not-come. When you fail to make the trip you forfeit everything.
If that happens, it comes down to the case of opportunity cost where the value of the foregone alternative are the diplomatic networks, investment engagements and deals that would have been missed as a result of not making the trip.
It is, therefore, critical that those who criticize must seek full information before doing so, or to fully understand the importance of those trips from a comprehensive cost benefit analysis standpoint.
When we employ a President on a full five-year election cycle, we give him or her a job description. One of these job descriptions is to protect and defend the integrity of Malawians whilst ensuring that the country has what it needs so that citizens enjoy a better life.
This is a big issue that cannot be exhaustively crunched at one go. But we need to understand, however, that in going about delivering on his job description, the President needs to travel to engage with various international stakeholders.
These stakeholders are the ones that ultimately make things happen in terms of bringing about the things we need as a country such as forex through investments, grants and even loans.
Foreign trips provide an opportunity for the President to engage with leaders and representatives from other countries, promoting trade and investment opportunities for Malawi.
These trips can lead to increased foreign direct investment (FDI), job creation, and economic growth. Additionally, bilateral trade agreements can be negotiated, leading to expanded export markets for Malawian goods and services and, ultimately, more earnings and forex
Foreign trips also allow the President to engage with international development partners and secure financial assistance for various development projects in Malawi. This assistance can be in the form of grants, loans, or technical expertise, which can contribute to infrastructure development, poverty reduction programs, healthcare improvements, and education initiatives.
Foreign trips also provide President Chakwera with an opportunity to strengthen diplomatic relations with other countries. Strong diplomatic ties are crucial for fostering political stability, regional cooperation, and peacekeeping efforts.
Additionally, positive diplomatic relations can lead to increased tourism, cultural exchanges, and collaboration in various sectors such as agriculture, technology transfer, and education. These collaborations can contribute to knowledge sharing, skills development, and innovation in the Malawian economy.
A few days ago, the government announced that it has secured a $50 million (about K52 billion) loan from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (Badea) for restocking the country’s fuel reserves to ease recurring fuel supply challenges. This is just one example where this country has benefited as a result of presidential engagements with international partners.
We must remember that it was President Lazarus Chakwera who engaged these Arab countries and signed this fuel funding agreement several months ago.
The naysayers will always have their day, more especially when things appear like they are on a steep decline. But it is important to understand that travelling is an important part of the President’s job in order to improve lives of Malawians.
The author is writing in his personal capacity
