By Staff Reporter
On 23 January 2025, the European Head of delegation, Ambassador Rune Skinnebach made a courtesy call on the newly appointed Minister of Mining strategist Dr Kenneth Zikhale Reeves Ng’oma, during which time, the two discussed facilities offered by European Union aimed at addressing knowledge and capacity gaps that often put governments of emerging resources and energy -rich countries at a significant disadvantage in state – investor negotiations.
The European Union support governments on emerging and developing economies in the negotiation of large scale investment contracts.
This facility was established by the G7 countries in 2024 with the establishment of CONNEX secretariat in 2017.
The Ministry of Mining formally submitted a request for technical assistance from CONNEX facility to aid the Malawi government in formulating a Model Mining Development Agreement and build the capacity of the Malawi Government in Mining Contract Negotiations in June 2024 and is yet to get feedback from European Union
The two officials also discussed the EU Mineral Security Partnership where Malawi is yet to sign.
The major challenge that has slowed down the.signing process of the full Partnership Agreement is that the EU is yet to avail what it takes in the Partnership to the Malawi Government, which has several avenues from which the Government of Malawi may access.
When Rune was.asked by the Minister why there were such delays, he simply replied that,” because of the changes of personel in their establishment, responsible for such Agreements , ” and he assured.the minister that he will revert to respond in a few weeks after making consultations with his office. The
EU Ambassador assured his total commitment to support the Mining industry in Malawi, which is one of the ATM strategy major pillars that can trigger Malawi’s productive economy.
