Malawi is still failing to export finished products to Europe.  Ninety nine percent of Malawi’s exports into the European Union (EU) constitute raw agriculture products

The EU is Malawi’s  largest trading partner for exports and second largest for imports–138.5 million Euro representing 12.9% of Malawi’s total imports from the Rest of the World  in 2010.

Primary  products currently dominating Malawi’s exports to the EU are food stuffs like fish, tobacco and animal products.

“Raw materials and tobacco in themselves make up approximately 67 percent  of Malawi’s exports to… ( Read on! )

Late Mutharika: Introduced many repressive laws

Malawi’s Parliament on Wednesday repealed the controversial Section 46 of the Penal Code removing the powers of the Minister of Information to ban or prohibit any publication deemed undesirable.

Section 46 is one of the repressive laws that caused Malawi’s diplomatic isolation and an aid freeze from the country’s key Western donors.

Despite initial resistance from the former ruling party — DPP — who argued that  the Bill tabled did not fulfil the 28 days notice requirement, legislators from both sides of the House repealed it… ( Read on! )

Baum: Regional Integration could help Malawi

by Alexander Baum – EU Ambassador to Malawi

We have seen some radical changes in this country over the past weeks, haven’t we? From control to liberalisation, from arbitrariness to principles and rules, from distrust in private sector to incentives for the private sector, from accusing to inviting partners, from ignoring neighbours to courting them.

The turn around came quick, perhaps too quick to believe that it is already happening.

Turning words into action and visions into change is of course never easy – it takes time, persistence,… ( Read on! )

Malawi will receive $39.6 million to promote irrigated rice and horticulture production as well as crop diversification , Partners in the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) announced on Friday.

GAFSP, is a fund that supports country-led efforts to fight hunger and poverty.

It announced that six countries will receive grants totaling $177 million. The grants – to Burundi, the Gambia, Kyrgyz Republic, Malawi, Senegal, and Tanzania – will help each country increase food security, raise rural incomes, and reduce poverty. 
 
International food prices remain volatile and… ( Read on! )

Malawi’s former ruling party has defended President Bingu wa Mutharika ‘s  appointment of tribesmen and loyalists  in cabinet and other influential positions 

Mutharika, who died last month from a heart attack, was accused of nepotism during his time in office. This week the former ruling party -Democratic Progressive Party-defended the late President in parliament.

“In the Presidents speech much has been said about tribalism. This is
strange because the Bingu administration merely moved existing civil
servants into particular key strategic services depending upon their
educational… ( Read on! )