(May 5, 2016, Golden Peacock Hotel)

 

Hon. Henry Mussa, Minister of Labour, Youth and Manpower Development,  

Mr. Xia Fang, Executive Vice President of Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Good morning. I am very glad to attend this ceremony today to see off three local employees of the Golden Peacock Hotel. They were selected by the hotel, because of their working performance, to receive professional training for six months in China. At this moment, I would like to express my warmest congratulations and wish them a pleasant stay in China.

 

So far as I know, this is the fourth time that the hotel sends its local employees to China, which makes the total number of people who receiving training in China to 15.

 

I believe the training will be a good opportunity for you to broaden your horizon and enrich your career and personal development. I hope the four trainees will cherish this opportunity and fully utilize your wisdom to learn as much as you can, and bring the knowledge and skills you've obtained in China back to Malawi.

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

While the Golden Peacock Hotel rings a bell to most of the residents in Lilongwe, its investor Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group may not sound as familiar. As a matter of fact, the company's involvement in Malawi has gone far beyond its investment in the hotel.

 

Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group came to Malawi in as early as 2008. It was the contractor of the projects of the Parliament Building, the Malawi University of Science and Technology and Bingu National Stadium.

 

During its growth in Malawi, the company showed great sense of social responsibility and willingness of devotion. In 2009, the company donated 1.5 million kwacha to the earthquake stricken Karonga area. In the following year, it donated 1.5 million US dollars and organized China's first "Brightness Trip" in Africa to provide free cataract treatment in Malawi. In 2015, It donates relief supplies to the flood stricken areas, and sponsored the first ever Malalwi Invest Forum which aimed at attracting foreign investors.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Malawi in 2007, we have seen a number of Chinese enterprises coming to Malawi. These enterprises have created numerous job opportunities for the local residents and brough them the latest technologies and skills. The trainings they provided to their local employees also helped to improve the overall quality of the workforce in Malawi.

 

A few days ago, I had the honor to present the letter of credence to H.E. Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi. During the audience with the President, I assured him that I will continue to encourage more qualified enterprises to start their business here, making contributions to the national development of the country and bringing more benefits to the people of Malawi. I am sure the cordial relations between our two countries will carry on, and people-to-people exchanges will flourish in the days to come.

 

Thank you.