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(NYASATIMES) Mulli ‘delighted’ with Kosovo interest for Malawi tea

Mulli ‘delighted’ with Kosovo interest for Malawi tea
By Nyasa Times
Published: June 22, 2010

Smallholder Tea Company (Steco) boss, Leston Mulli has said his company is delighted with the interest by Kosovo’s president, Fatmir Sejdiu to buy the Malawi leaf. Kosovo President and Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika visited Steco and Chitakale Tea Estates under the imposing Mulanje Mountain last week. Sejdiu expressed interest that his country would import the Malawian leaf.

“It is good news for Malawi to found new buyers for the tea,” said Mulli whose company also exports the leaf to Dubai and is sold at Mombasa auction floors.

“Kosovo President Sejdiu assured us during our discussions that he will send a business delegation. We will be selling tea to Kosovo,” he said.

“Tea export can help boost the country’s economy,” said Mulli whose Steco produces 60,000 kg of tea at peak season and between 25,000 and 30,000 kg off season per day.

The Government of Malawi through the Privatization Commission put Chitakale and Steco on sale years back and Mulli Brothers Group of Companies own the two estates after a successful bid.

The Privatization Commission of Malawi is mandated to help facilitate measures and policies aimed to strengthen the role of the private sector in the economy.

Mulli Brothers Group of Companies has grown to diversify its services, products and operations.

The mission of this indigenous progressive company is to enhance the profitability and competitiveness of manufacturing companies by assisting the country in its socio-economic development initiatives.

Eunice Kazembe, Minister for Industry and Trade expressed Steco’s uniqueness and the need for Malawians to take business risks.

“Steco is different. Its shareholding is all local Malawian. As a country, this shows we have viable tea business and as Malawians we can take risks. The next stage in the Kosovo deal with Malawi is to enter some contractual agreements,” she is quoted by Africa News

Malawi is regarded as pioneer of tea-growing in Africa after it started commercial production in the 1880s during the British colonial era.

Labels: CHITAKALE AND SMALLHOLDER TEA COMPANY (MALAWI), TEA

posted by MrK @ 2:12 AM