By Senior Reporter

Malawi President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera on Saturday witnessed the signing of Malawi Government and Saud Fund for Development funding agreement towards Makanjira-Mangochi road.

President Chakwera, hailed Saud Arabia for being a true partner.

The president, who is in Saud Arabia for the Saudi-Africa Summit, described the day as historic for Malawi and for Malawians.

President Chakwera said, on behalf of Malawians, he was thanking the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the partnership through Saudi Fund for Development for the support towards the road project.

Chakwera said since the beginning of development cooperation in 2010, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has provided about 50 million dollars’ worth of concessional loans, which have gone a long way in cementing the partnership between two nations.

“For example, it was the Saudi Fund for Development that partnered with us to build a state of the art 300 bed hospital in Phalombe, which is now providing various health services to our people, including ante-natal and neonatal services
that were once provided at facilities too far away,” he said.

He said it was also the Saudi Fund for Development that partnered with Malawi to construct 3 Teachers Training Colleges in Malawi with an annual enrolment of about 1,200 teacher trainees.

“It was the Saudi Fund for Development that contributed to the financing of the Thyolo-Makwasa-Bangula road, which has improved connectivity for our farmers,” he added.

The president also said it is the Saudi Fund for Development that is supporting efforts towards debt restructuring with discussions between Malawi officials and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia commencing in what he called a win win spirit.

“We remain hopeful that through your support we will get a confirmation on debt restructuring assurances,” said Dr Chakwera.