By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, October 4, Mana: British High Commissioner to Malawi, Fiona Richie, says Rumphi District has potential in attracting tourists who would help improve economic activities in the district and the country at large.

Richie made the remarks Thursday when she engaged officials for Rumphi District Council on various issues.

“Rumphi is an incredibly beautiful part of Malawi. I think, with good infrastructure, it would be easier for tourists to come here. Nyika National Park is an asset to the country. It is beautiful. It offers what you cannot see in other places,” said Ritchie.

Richie, later in the day visited headquarters of Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe at Bolero to pay a courtesy call to the traditional leader of the Tumbuka people.

She said she was pleased to have been offered royal experience of Chikulamayembe Chieftaincy.

Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe said he was honored by British High Commissioner’s visit to his headquarters.

District Commissioner for Rumphi, Emmanuel Bulukutu, said tourism is one of the council’s strategic areas aimed at improving the district’s economic development in contributing to the attainment of the Malawi 2063 with focus on upper middle income status.

Bulukutu also shared the council’s plans to have an industrial park to promote value addition to crops such as soya beans and groundnuts, among others. 

"We export a lot of raw agricultural produce such as groundnuts. We need to start adding value to our farm produce. That would create job opportunities to people. We need to work on these opportunities to transform our economy and achieve Malawi 2063," said Bulukutu.