By Mary Makhiringa

Harare, May 22, Mana: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affair Patricia Nangozo Kainga says Malawi stands a better chance of increasing its tourism base through the Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCAs) summit.

Speaking to Malawi News Agency (MANA) in an interview at the end of the SADC TFCA Council of the Ministers meeting on Thursday, Minister of Environment, Natural Resources and Tourism, Kainga said, President Chakwera will be among heads of states to attend SADC meeting, which will among other things mark 25 years of TFCA fostering Regional Integration and Sustainable Development.

Said Kainga: “It is important for the State President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera to be present at this very important meeting as Malawi is a senior member of the SADC and also it will enhance the bilateral cooperation and integration.

“The President will also hold several bilateral talks with fellow Heads of States to strengthen their cooperation and also the President will hold meeting with development partners who are already in here to have further talks on financing and other important issues that will benefit Malawi.”

Speaking earlier, Minister of Tourism Dr. Vera Kamtukule underscored the importance of tourism in Malawi saying the country has seen tremendous growth in the industry with more tourists coming.

Said Kamtukule: “This is one of the important meetings that Malawi as a country must attend. As you know when we talk about wildlife, they cut across the borders, animals do not see any borders or any lines, it can move from Malawi to Zambia, or vice versa, so it is important for our country to attend this meeting.”

He added: “60 percent of the tourists that come to Malawi are from SADC region, so it is important that we come to these regional block meetings where we can discuss several issues concerning our country.

“For example, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola and Botswana are part of the Kavango Zambia (KAZA) Transfrontier arrangement which means, a visitor can come from Spain come into Zambia and pay $50 and visit all the countries, this is the coordination that we are talking about.”

President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera is among the Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders attending the summit in Harare on Friday.