By Leonard Kavwenje
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawians have hailed Minister of Finance and economic affairs Simplex Chithyola Banda for capitalizing on the specialisation of national economic activities of Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining (ATM) in a bid to enhance the sustainable drive of the economy.
In Blantyre, Blessings Singano, a well-accomplished economist said, “Chithyola Banda is a clear demonstration of unshaken interest in programs, policies and activities that seek to improve the economic outlook, well-being and quality of life of the Malawian community.
Singano further said, “Chithyola Banda just needs a desirable crop of strategists at the ministry whose coordination capacity with responsible ministries pay dividends.”
In Lilongwe, Mirriam Chisi, a star economist commented, “One strength I have observed in Chithyola Banda is understanding of economic development. As an economic development specialist, he has brilliantly orchestrated international promotion of the Pythagorean Triple induced in Agriculture, Tourism and Mining (ATM).
“Chithyola Banda understands that agricultural commercialization as a transition from growing crops for home consumption to growing crops for sale enables farmers to earn cash income that they can use to buy food in markets.”
Mzuzu resident Brian Mithi echoes, “He is a master. He is well versed in that tourism brings adequate foreign exchange to propel the engine of the economy. It is also high time, we embraced serious mining initiatives to pull together the ends of our small economy.
“Chithyola Banda is right in many Sub-Saharan African countries, the mining sector makes a significant contribution to foreign exchange earnings, government revenues, employment, and gross domestic product (GDP). Malawi must follow suit.”
Reacting to the Malawians’ acknowledgment, Chithyola Banda said, “It is good and encouraging that Malawians are able to identify and articulate for themselves growth significance and development potential of the Agricultural, Tourism and Mining (ATM) economic growth and development strategy.
“What I urge all Malawians is to fully support the government implementing these three cornerstones of our economy. Truly, this is socio-economically vital for all Malawians”.
