UK’s Foreign Office Minister Bellingham to visit Malawi

The British government continues to send high level representatives to Malawi as it supports President Banda’s reforms since assuming the presidency in April this year.

The latest to visit Malawi is the UK parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Foreign Commonwealth office Henry Bellingham.

In a statement, officials of the British high commission in Lilongwe say Bellingham will visit Malawi from July 15 to 17 and will hold high level meeting with President Banda and other senior figured from the private sector.

In a brief statement ahead of the visit, Bellingham said he is looking forward to meeting Banda on her one hundredth day in office and further committed to maintaining excellent relations with Malawi to serve the long term interests of both countries.

Bellingham becomes the second UK government minister to visit the country since Banda assumed office.

The Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell also visited Malawi in May this year.

Last month, the UK also announced the appointment of Michael Nevin as the new British High Commissioner to Malawi and he will take up his appointment in September this year.

The UK, through the Department for International Development provides about 80 million pounds support to Malawi each year to help implement the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy.

DFID has already disbursed 23 million pounds since April this year to help fiscal stability and provide essential support to health, education and agriculture.