By Twink Jones Gadama
President Lazarus Chakwera has assented to nine new bills, marking a significant milestone in Malawi’s development journey.
The bills, which were passed by Parliament in 2024, cover a range of critical areas, including constitutional amendments, judicial service administration, financial services, insurance, public procurement, and taxation.
According to a statement from the State House, President Chakwera exercised his powers vested in him by Section 89 of the Constitution of Malawi to assent to the bills.
The move demonstrates the President’s commitment to creating a favorable business environment, promoting economic development, and improving the lives of Malawians.
The nine bills assented to by President Chakwera are:
– *Bill No. 22 of 2024: Constitution (Amendment)*: This bill seeks to amend the Constitution of Malawi, with the aim of strengthening the country’s governance framework.
– *Bill No. 23 of 2024: Judicial Service Administration*: This bill aims to improve the administration of justice in Malawi, by strengthening the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary.
– *Bill No. 25 of 2024: Financial Services (Amendment)*: This bill seeks to amend the Financial Services Act, with the aim of strengthening the regulation and supervision of financial institutions in Malawi.
– *Bill No. 26 of 2024: Insurance*: This bill provides a comprehensive framework for the regulation and supervision of the insurance industry in Malawi.
– *Bill No. 27 of 2024: Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets*: This bill aims to improve the transparency and accountability of public procurement and disposal of public assets in Malawi.
– *Bill No. 30 of 2024: Value Added Tax (Amendment)*: This bill seeks to amend the Value Added Tax Act, with the aim of strengthening the tax system and improving revenue collection in Malawi.
– *Bill No. 31 of 2024: European Investment Bank (Water Energy Framework) Loan Authorization*: This bill authorizes the government to borrow funds from the European Investment Bank for the development of water and energy infrastructure in Malawi.
– *Bill No. 32 of 2024: OPEC Fund for International Development (Shire’s Valley Transformation Programme Phase II) Authorization and Ratification*: This bill authorizes and ratifies the agreement between the government of Malawi and the OPEC Fund for International Development for the implementation of the Shire’s Valley Transformation Programme Phase II.
– *Bill No. 33 of 2024: Appropriation (Amendment)*: This bill seeks to amend the Appropriation Act, with the aim of adjusting the government’s budget and expenditure plans.
The assenting of these bills demonstrates President Chakwera’s commitment to driving progress and development in Malawi. By giving his thumbs up to these bills, the President has sent a strong signal that his administration is serious about creating a favorable business environment, promoting economic development, and improving the lives of Malawians.
As Malawi continues on its path to prosperity, the implementation of these bills is expected to have a significant impact on various sectors, including business, agriculture, and healthcare. With President Chakwera’s approval, these bills are now set to become law, paving the way for a brighter future for Malawi and its people.
The move has been welcomed by various stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society organizations, and the general public.
Many have praised President Chakwera for his leadership and vision, saying that the assenting of these bills marks a significant milestone in Malawi’s development journey.
As the country moves forward, it is expected that the implementation of these bills will be closely monitored to ensure that they achieve their intended objectives.
