On 18 September, the sixth bilateral consultation between Flanders and Malawi took place in Lilongwe. The consultation dealt mainly with the implementation of the third country strategy paper. This was the first visit to partner country Malawi for Secretary-General Julie Bynens. An extensive program with several meetings and field visits was compiled for her by Representative Reymenants (Southern Africa) and Deputy representative Bosscher (Malawi).
The bilateral consultation was chaired by the Secretary to the Treasury of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Mr. Cliff Chiunda, together with Secretary-General Bynens. Important topics within the implementation of the Country Strategy Paper were discussed. Such as the commitment of the Malawian government to deploy their budget according the priorities of their agricultural investment plan. On the Flemish side, guarantees about this financial commitment are important, certainly for agricultural information initiatives. The financing of the agricultural plans of the Kasungu and Mzimba districts were also discussed.
The bilateral consultation was preceded by a technical meeting on 17 September. Representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Justice and Land were present. Also certain project partners of Flanders were invited to share their expertise.
Further on the program of the Flemish delegation were a number of meetings with representatives of international organizations with which Flanders closely cooperates in Malawi; the World Bank, FAO and WFP. And site visits to supported projects like Farm Radio Trust and FAO Farmer Field Schools.
The Flemish delegation led by Secretary-General Bynens consisted of General Representative for Southern Africa Geraldine Reymenants, Deputy Representative for Malawi Nikolas Bosscher, and policy officer Eva Maes.
Third Country Strategy Paper Malawi
General Representation of the Government of Flanders in Southern Africa