Prof. Mutharika, thanks to Mulli Brothers, Malawi is back on the international map for tea.
By Patrick Bande
Malawi President Ngwazi Professor Bingu wa Mutharika on Saturday urged local business captains to dream in colour if they are to succeed.
Professor Mutharika made the remarks during a press conference held at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe when he saw off the President of Kosovo Dr. Fatmir Sejdiu.
Dr. Fatmir Sejdiu was flying back to Kosovo after a three day official visit to Malawi where among other things he held bilateral talks with president Mutharika and addressed the National Assembly to thank the people of Malawi especially President Bingu wa Mutharika for recognising the independence of Kosovo which took place on 17th February, 2008.
On Friday the two leaders visited Small holder Tea Company (Steco) in Mulanje which is owned by local entrepreneurs Mulli Brothers Limited.
The factory which was formally known as Malawi Tea Company (Mateco) Limited, a government parastatal then, almost collapsed a couple of years ago, thanks to Mulli Brothers Limited which bought and revived it.
“A few years ago that company was going somewhere and I refused that it should be sold to foreign investors until Mulli Brothers bought the company and revamped it now its back on its feet and running,” said Mutharika.
“The lesson from this is simple and straight forward. We must learn to dream in colour. Malawi tea was known the world over and when this company was going down we were removed from the map as a tea producer, thanks to Mulli brothers we are back on the map” added Mutharika.
The Malawi leader also thanked his Kosovo counterpart for coming all the way from Kosovo to visit the country. He said there is a lot the two countries have in common and can share.
Giving an example he said, Kosovo is rich in minerals and Malawi can learn mineral technology for the research institute to be opened in Karonga.
"We discussed a lot of things including: increasing trade between the two countries. First, its political relations and from there, the business community from the two countries can link up to learn from each other. Kosovo buys a lot of tea from other countries and they can buy that from us. We have also agreed to support each other,” Mutharika said.
On his part Sejdiu said he was delighted to be in Malawi and was happy with how he was received in the country. He said he saw optimism in the eyes of Malawians believing tomorrow will be a brighter day every where he visited in the country.
“I feel at home here and next time I will come, I will only use my passport to check in at a hotel. I’m grateful for the huge support that Malawi gave for our freedom and our independence,” he said.
The Kosovo president also announced that he has invited President Mutharika to visit Kosovo as soon as possible to see for himself how free people are in that country. He then asked president Mutharika who is also chairman of the African union to provide information about Kosovo to other nations that know little about the country.
Kosovo is an independent state with a population of about 2 million people and is supervised by the international community following the conclusion of the political process to determine Kosovo final status envisaged in United Nations Security Council resolution.
It lies in the southern east part of Europe and shares boundaries with Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania and its economy relies heavily on agriculture, mining and micro enterprises.
Upon arrival in the country on Thursday Dr. Fatmir Sejdiu was met by president Mutharika and was hosted at a state banquet at the State House before visiting Steco factory in Mulanje on Friday and he addressed members of the National Assembly later on Friday-Mana.
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