Zambia to join meeting on Nacala corridor

Zambia to join meeting on Nacala corridor
By Joan Chirwa
Tuesday January 01, 2008 [03:00]

ZAMBIA, Malawi and Mozambique are early next month expected to hold a meeting where top on the agenda will be the review of port facilities at Nacala. The meeting, organised by the Central East African Railways, will also present an opportunity for the three countries to exchange ideas for fostering greater economic growth as well as attract new investors from each other.

“This is the Nacala Port users’ conference which is taking place during the first week of February in the Northern Province of Mozambique,” said Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EPCCI) chairperson Dr George Chabwera. “A number of members of the Eastern Province Chamber will take part in this conference as they are closer to the Nacala port. This is also mainly because of the Chipata-Mchinji railway line currently being worked on, which is going to connect Zambia to the Nacala port.”

The Central East African Railways is currently managing the Malawian and Mozambican railway lines.

“There are a number of issues that are going to be discussed during the meeting such as benefits that Zambian businessmen can get from Nacala,” said Dr Chabwera.

Since the Great East Road connects the rest of Zambia to the Nacala corridor in Malawi and Mozambique, the European Union recently said the road needs more attention to ensure that infrastructure is in good condition.

The EU has also provided funding towards the rehabilitation of part of the Great East Road under its 10th European Development Fund (EDF).

The 10th EDF will however not fund the complete rehabilitation of the road, but will allow other co-operating partners to assist in funding for the road, which links Zambia to the Nacala corridor.

The Nacala corridor is seen to be one of the best transport options from Zambia to the ocean for different exports such as sugar and other locally produced goods.