By Chisomo Phiri
The Governments of Malawi and China on Tuesday signed a financing agreement worth K50 billion for the construction of the Judicial Complex in Lilongwe.
Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Simplex Chithyola-Banda, signed the agreement on behalf of the Malawi government, describing it as a “fitting gift” from the Chinese government to the people of Malawi.
The minister said the grant financing, valued at Chinese RMB 200 million (approximately USD $30 million or K50 billion), aims to enhance and transform Malawi’s infrastructure.
Chithyola-Banda noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping informed President Lazarus Chakwera about the grant financing during their bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People on Tuesday morning.
“I am pleased to have signed this agreement on behalf of the Malawi government, which will see our judiciary operate from modern buildings, housing various offices, including courtrooms. This is a positive development,” said Chithyola-Banda.
He emphasized that his ministry will work to fast-track the project’s operationalization with stakeholders in China to ensure timely disbursements and commencement of works.
Chithyola-Banda attributed the Chinese government’s commitment to funding the project to the focused leadership that has prioritized building good relations with other countries, as evident in the designation of Malawi as a strategic partner by the Chinese government.
Chinese Ambassador to Malawi,Long Zhou,signed the agreement on behalf of the Chinese government.
Zhou assured that his government would ensure the project’s successful completion and the continued growth of relations between the two countries.
The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing, China.
