Hon. Ken Kandodo, Minister of Finance,

Hon. Prof. Peter Mutharika, Minister of Education, Science and Technology,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon. I am very glad that today our two governments signed the framework agreement on the provision of concessional loan for the project of Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST).

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malawi three year ago, China has helped Malawi implement a series of development projects. The New Parliament Building has been completed last May. The Karonga-Chitipa Road in the North will be completed and open to traffic by the end of this year. The Framework of the International Conference Center and Five-Star Hotel has been set up, and the whole project, including 14 Presidential Villas will be completed at the beginning of next year.

The Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) is the brainchild of H.E. Prof. Bingu wa Mutharika, the State President of Malawi. H.E. decided that the Malawi University of Science and Technology shall be built before the National Stadium, because education is a “MUST” to the socio- economic development.

We are happy to see that the Malawian Government has made a plan to built five universities in the country in the coming ten years. Among the five universities, the Malawi University of Science and Technology will be the first one to be built. And I am full of confidence that the University will be one of the best universities in the South-East Africa. Malawian students will have more opportunities to receive higher education.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

After the signing of this framework agreement, we still have some preparation work to do. But I don’t think it will take long time, and I am looking forward to attending the Ground-Breaking Ceremony of the Malawi University of Science and Technology at an early date this year.

Thank you.