By Chisomo Phiri
CDH Investment Bank on Monday donated K10 million to the Companies and Intellectual Property Centre (CRIPC) in support of the institution’s official launch as it transitions from the Department of the Registrar General into a semi-autonomous corporate body aimed at improving business and intellectual property services in the country.
Speaking during the cheque presentation ceremony in Blantyre, CDH Investment Bank Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary, Daniel Mwangwela, described CRIPC as one of the bank’s key stakeholders because of the important role it plays in company registration and management of business-related securities.
Mwangwela said the bank works closely with corporates, medium-scale enterprises, and high-net-worth individuals, many of whom are required to register their businesses through CRIPC before accessing banking services.
“Corporates and medium-scale enterprises must first go through CRIPC to register their businesses before they can open accounts and do business with us,” he said.
He explained that the bank also relies on CRIPC when processing collateral securities for credit facilities, including mortgages, personal property securities, and company charges.
“For us to provide credit facilities, we need security in the form of collateral, and these processes go through CRIPC registries to ensure transactions are properly secured,” said Mwangwela.
He noted that access to credit plays a critical role in driving economic development by supporting formal businesses that create jobs and contribute taxes to the economy.
“Credit is the lifeline of the economy. By formalizing businesses, we are creating viable institutions that can trade effectively, employ people, and contribute to national economic growth,” he said.
Mwangwela further commended CRIPC for the transition process saying the move is expected to improve efficiency and service delivery.
“We are pleased that CRIPC has embraced digital systems. Companies can now register online and file annual returns electronically. We hope that, as a corporate body, they will manage processes more efficiently and within shorter timeframes,” he said.
He added that improved efficiency at CRIPC would help facilitate smoother business transactions and encourage more Malawians to formalize their enterprises.
On his part,
Deputy Registrar General for Intellectual Property (IP) which is under CRIPC, Chifwayi Chirambo, expressed gratitude to CDH Investment Bank for the K10 million sponsorship.
He explained that the creation of CRIPC is part of the government’s ongoing public service reform agenda and broader policy initiatives aimed at improving the management of intellectual property rights in the country.
Chirambo said the transformation also aligns with the National Intellectual Property Policy introduced in 2019, which directed government to strengthen institutions responsible for intellectual property administration.
“CRIPC is a product of the ongoing public service reforms and the National Intellectual Property Policy, which committed government to transforming institutions responsible for managing intellectual property rights,” he said.
Chirambo noted that the Department of the Registrar General has long played a dual role in both intellectual property administration and company registration services.
“We administer trademarks, which are the brands people use every day, such as Times and ZodiaK. We are also the country’s companies registry, where we register small businesses, partnerships, and limited liability companies,” he explained.
Apart from company and trademark registration, Chirambo said the institution also collects tax and non-tax revenue for government through services such as stamp duties and estate charges.
He expressed optimism that the transformation into CRIPC would improve efficiency, modernize services, and enhance support for businesses and innovators across the country.
