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(TIMES) Envoy hails Chipata rail link

Envoy hails Chipata rail link
By Business Reporter

CONSTRUCTION of the Chipata-Mchinji railway is a key trade facilitating infrastructure which would contribute to enhancing trade among Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, Zambia’s Deputy High Commissioner to Malawi, Paul Katema has said.

Mr Katema said the Mchinji-Chipata rail link underscores the importance of infrastructure development in the region as a means to consolidating regional trade and commerce.

Speaking when he closed a stakeholders’ meeting on the railway line project at Chipata Municipal Council at the weekend, Mr Katema said once operational, the railway line would avail cheaper access to the sea for Zambia because it would offer the shortest route to the port of Nacala.

He said that currently, the bulk of Zambia’s export and imports were being transported by road, which was costly because of the frequent need for maintenance and rehabilitation and that a rail link which was comparatively cheaper, would be of big advantage to Zambia.

At the same function, Central, East African Railways Company Limited of Malawi marketing and commercial director, Wilfred Ali said the private sector in Malawi had started using the 12 kilometre stretch of the rail from Lilongwe to Mchinji.

Mr Ali said the private sector, including tobacco merchants, were already utilising the rail line to transport their merchandise because it was cheaper.

And Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairperson, Timothy Nyirenda said the construction of the Chipata-Mchinji railway line would help in reducing transport costs for transporters.

While in Chipata, the Malawian delegation visited the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Omnia Fertiliser Sheds, Cargill Cotton Ginnery, and Alliance One Zambia.

Labels: CHIPATA, INFRASTRUCTURE, MCHINJI, RAIL

posted by MrK @ 4:55 PM