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| National |
| Iceland launches consulate |
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by
George Ntonya, 01 April 2003
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Iceland on Friday confirmed its commitment to consolidate relationship with Malawi by opening a consulate in Lilongwe.
South African based ambassador of Iceland to Malawi Bjorn Daqbjartsson said at the function that although Iceland is different from Malawi in many aspects, Islanders have affection for this country.
Daqbjartsson said that he was proud because of the
he played in developing the cooperation that exists between the two countries. Malawi is the largest African recipient of aid from Iceland.
“I am hopeful that this [cooperation] will continue to grow for many years to come,” he said.
Davie Mwale of Fitzwilliam Partnership, who was appointed honorary consul of Iceland in the country, pledged to work hard for the benefit of the two countries.
He urged the country’s private sector to use the consulate to woo investors from Iceland. Located north of Atlantic ocean and United Kingdom, Iceland has a population of about 300,000 and unemployment rate of 2.3 percent.
Iceland’s 2001 trade statistics showed South Africa as its major trading partner in the region through export of horticultural produce, beverages and machinery, followed by Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Zambia, respectively.
“So far I have no records of trade statistics between [Malawi] and Iceland apart from the unregistered tourist interests that may be modest in the hospitality business,” Mwale said adding that the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries should be considered as an opportunity for new markets.
Deputy minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Henry Chimunthu Banda thanked Iceland for its support to Malawi, through the Icelandic International Development Agency (Iceida).
“The assistance provided by Iceland has indeed gone a long way in supporting government’s effort in the area of poverty reduction,” the deputy minister said.
The consulate is housed in ADL House at the city centre.
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