Malawi: Tobacco deal with China imminent
Sam Banda Junior, AfricaNews reporter in Blantyre, Malawi, 13/03/2008
The last details and arrangements are being worked on in a view to finalise a tobacco export agreement between China and Malawi, a Chinese official has said. The move is presented by China as a boost to the Malawi's economy which heavily depends on tobacco.
"Tobacco is very important. We in China have our own laws and rules governing the importation of tobacco. Once we finalise, we will import Malawi tobacco," China's ambassador designate Fan Gwinjins told the local daily of The Daily Times.
He however could not tell whether the importation would start this season, saying there are procedures to be followed before they put pen to paper on the agreement.
This announcement came barely a day after government announced that Barlet Tobacco would now be selling at a minimum of US$ 1.61(231 Malawi Kwacha) from last year's US$ 1.21(Malawi Kwacha 174) representing a 33 percent rise in price.
Flue cured tobacco will be selling at a minimum price of US$ 2.20(Malawi Kwacha 316).
Malawi'is capital Lilongwe and China's Beijing agreed to establish diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level from December 28 last year.
The Southern Africa country's Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister Joyce Banda said Malawi's government recognises that there is but one China in the world.
Malawi dumped Taiwan recently after 42-year diplomatic ties and opted for mainland China.
Banda said out of 53 countries in Africa, Taiwan has relationship with four countries only whilst the rest are with Mainland China citing among others the country's neighbours and economic allies Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Tobacco is the largest foreign exchange spinner for Malawi which also relies heavily on agriculture.
The last details and arrangements are being worked on in a view to finalise a tobacco export agreement between China and Malawi, a Chinese official has said. The move is presented by China as a boost to the Malawi's economy which heavily depends on tobacco.
"Tobacco is very important. We in China have our own laws and rules governing the importation of tobacco. Once we finalise, we will import Malawi tobacco," China's ambassador designate Fan Gwinjins told the local daily of The Daily Times.
He however could not tell whether the importation would start this season, saying there are procedures to be followed before they put pen to paper on the agreement.
This announcement came barely a day after government announced that Barlet Tobacco would now be selling at a minimum of US$ 1.61(231 Malawi Kwacha) from last year's US$ 1.21(Malawi Kwacha 174) representing a 33 percent rise in price.
Flue cured tobacco will be selling at a minimum price of US$ 2.20(Malawi Kwacha 316).
Malawi'is capital Lilongwe and China's Beijing agreed to establish diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level from December 28 last year.
The Southern Africa country's Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister Joyce Banda said Malawi's government recognises that there is but one China in the world.
Malawi dumped Taiwan recently after 42-year diplomatic ties and opted for mainland China.
Banda said out of 53 countries in Africa, Taiwan has relationship with four countries only whilst the rest are with Mainland China citing among others the country's neighbours and economic allies Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Tobacco is the largest foreign exchange spinner for Malawi which also relies heavily on agriculture.
