Secretary General of COMESA Chileshe Kapwepwe has congratulated the new President of Malawi H.E. Dr Lazarus Chakwera following his victory in the recent presidential elections.

“I have no doubt that during your presidency, the collaboration between Malawi and COMESA will not only be maintained but will receive a fresh impetus for the mutual benefit of your country and the region,” she said.

Equally, she has applauded the people of Malawi for the peaceful elections leading to a smooth political transition.

“We applaud the people of Malawi for exercising their civic duty in a peaceful and calm manner, thereby enabling the conduct of a presidential election which upheld the tenets of democracy,” the SG noted.

She commended the former President H.E Prof. Peter Mutharika for his service to the country over the last five years.

Malawi is a founder Member of COMESA and hosts two of its institutions: The COMESA Competition Commission and the Federation of National Association of Women in Business (FEMCOM). A few years ago, the government of Malawi allocated land for the construction of a permanent FEMCOM Headquarters in Lilongwe.

In her message, the SG expressed optimism of continued collaboration with the incoming government, to achieve economic prosperity of the people in the region.

“Your country has consistently implemented regional integration programmes and in return, continues to benefit from resources mobilized by COMESA under the Regional Integration Support Mechanism.” she said.

Among them are projects to support the garments and textile sector as well as the leather value chain through the Malawi Enterprise Productivity Enhancement.