Blantyre’s 5-star hotel opens October 1

Chinese investor Sogecoa’s international 5-star hotel constructed to the tune of US$15 million (about K12 billion) is scheduled to open its doors by October 01 this year.The Chinese project contractor’s deputy general manager, Derrick Xu confirmed that the construction of the Sogecoa Business Park, which includes a five-star hotel, a recreation center, a shopping mall and a casino is nearing completion.

He said more than 400 temporary and unskilled workforce were engaged in the project and another 1,000 local permanent and skilled individuals worked on the construction site.

Xu said besides promoting beauty and general physical outlook of the Southern African country’s commercial capital city; the infrastructure will boost the developing nation’s economic status.

Sogecoa also owns Golden Peacock hotel in Lilongwe which opened its doors in 2011.
Malawi has seen an increase in Chinese investment since switching its partnership from Taiwan to Beijing.

But the West has cautioned African countries against welcoming China with open arms.