Blantyre – In a bid to uplift the creative industries in Malawi, President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has vowed to work closely with the country’s artists and creatives. During a meeting with the Artists Association at the Sanjika Palace, the President expressed his commitment to formalizing and commercializing the creative sector as part of the Malawi 2063 Vision.
President Chakwera acknowledged that the creative work of Malawians often goes unrecognized and undervalued. He stated that the recently passed National Arts and Heritage Council Bill is a crucial step in establishing a robust institutional framework to support the growth and development of the arts.
“The Malawi 2063 Vision of inclusive wealth cannot be achieved while leaving artists and creatives behind,” the President said. “I fully endorse your submissions for us to do more to build the capacity of our artists in their quest to make a living from their trade.”
The President also pledged to use the convening power of his office to bring together stakeholders and address the challenges faced by the creative sector, including the enforcement of relevant legislation, the promotion of public-private partnerships, and the provision of tax relief on imports crucial to the arts.
Furthermore, the President announced the addition of a portfolio on Creative Industries to his Council of Advisors, ensuring that the concerns and needs of the creative community are directly represented in his administration.
“My decision to add a portfolio on Creative Industries to my Council of Advisors was inspired by the work that you all do through the arts to educate, to entertain, to prosper, to unite, to promote, and to heal our nation,” the President said.
The artists and creatives who attended the meeting expressed their appreciation for the President’s recognition of the sector’s importance and his willingness to collaborate in addressing their challenges.
