By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dar es Salaam, April 27, Mana: Vice President Saulos Chilima on Friday urged the diaspora community in Tanzania to contribute towards the socio-economic development of Malawi.

He made the remarks after a meeting with the Community of Malawians living in Tanzania (COMATA), which was held at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dar es Salaam after he attended Tanzania’s Union Day commemorations.

Chilima said the meeting dwelled on a variety of issues ranging from challenges the community is facing to how they can contribute to the development of Malawi.

“They raised a few issues some of which are not new. These include how they can do diaspora remittances, land allocation issues and about bringing in investments back home. Most of these are already being handled at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs level, but we have assured them that we will make appropriate follow-up.

“But we have encouraged them that we all have responsibility to Malawi.  It does not matter which corner of this planet we operate from; we have the responsibility to contribute to the socio-economic development of our country,” said Chilima.

He added that the meeting also presented a chance to know who is where and what they are doing.

Some of the members included representatives of businesspersons, students and staff working at the High Commission of Malawi to Tanzania, among others.