By Gift Chiponde

Lilongwe, June 6, Mana: Deputy Director of Arts, McDonald Maluwaya, has expressed optimism that the establishment of the National Arts and Heritage Promotion Fund will help promote culture and arts sector in the country.

He made the remarks in Lilongwe on Wednesday during the official opening of the central region consultative meeting on the development of regulations for the National Arts and Heritage Promotion Fund.

According to Maluwaya, the fund aligns well with the National Arts and Heritage Council Bill, which is yet to be presented to Parliament.

He described the fund as a key aspect to national development in the attainment of Malawi 2063 in enhancing and improving arts and culture in the country.

“The initiative will witness the establishment of the Arts and Culture Council, which ensures that the fund is properly regulated with a full operational secretariat for effective implementation.

“It will also provide a platform for job opportunities among the youth, a development which is likely to improve lives of most Malawians in the country,” he said

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) expert, Ayeta Anne Wanjusa, highlighted the importance of the meeting, saying the process will help the country to have a strong legal framework in the culture industry.

The initiative is being implemented by the Department of Arts in collaboration with the National Commission for UNESCO with technical support from UNESCO-Aschberg.