President Lazarus Chakwera yesterday addressed the nation, emphasizing the significance of establishing and expanding Cooperatives in Malawi. He highlighted that these initiatives are crucial for generating wealth, creating job opportunities for citizens, and fostering overall development in the country.
Speaking at the 29th International Day of Cooperatives celebrated in Lilongwe’s Civo Stadium, President Chakwera expressed his government’s strong commitment to supporting the country’s economic transformation through Cooperatives, particularly in rural areas. He stressed the importance of creating a conducive policy, legal, and regulatory environment for the Cooperative Sector to encourage widespread participation among Malawians.
The President urged citizens to actively participate in Cooperatives, envisioning a scenario where all working adults, including himself, collaborate with fellow Malawians to generate wealth and employment. He believed that such collective efforts would significantly boost the country’s economy.
President Chakwera acknowledged the challenges faced by Cooperatives, such as accessing reliable markets. However, he praised the efforts of Minister of Trade and Industry, Simplex Chithyola Banda, in addressing these challenges through agreements with entities like the Malawi Defence Force and other stakeholders. Additionally, the government is collaborating with neighboring countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region to improve the situation on a regional level.
