Malawi: Economy
GDP: US$ 1.7bn (2003)
GDP per capita: US$155 (2003)
Annual Growth: 4.4% (2003)
Inflation: 14.9% (2004 Projected)
Major Industries: Tobacco, Tea, Sugar, Sawmill Products, Cement and Consumer Goods
Main Imports: Food, Petroleum Products, Semi-manufactures, Consumer Goods, Transportation Equipment
Main Exports: Tobacco, Tea, Sugar, Textiles, Coffee, Cotton and Peanuts
Major Trading Partners: South Africa, Germany, US, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Netherlands, UK, Japan
Malawi faces serious problems. The UN Human Development index grades Malawi 165 out of 177 countries and the tenth poorest country in the world. It has few exploitable resources apart from land, which is at serious risk of degradation as a result of population pressure and poor farming methods. Agriculture remains the backbone of the economy, employing 85% of the working population. However, about 90% of these workers are engaged in subsistence farming. Tobacco is responsible for some 60% of export earnings, with sugar, tea and coffee contributing about 5% each.
Malawi’s economic outlook largely depends on the successful implementation of its programmes with the IMF, World Bank and other donors. Although Malawi secured a programme with the IMF on 20 October 2003, the country is still trading on a very thin line between keeping the programme alive and it being suspended due to the non-fulfilment of certain conditions.
Greater fiscal discipline is required to alleviate upward pressure on inflation and the crowding out of the private sector through domestic budget financing. This will also pave the way for real interest rates to drop to levels that support domestic economic activity. In the short-term economic conditions are expected to improve. A positive development has been growing exports to the US under the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA). The economy is expected to benefit increasingly from textile and related activities which should gradually absorb under-performance in traditional industries.
Related Travel Information
Algerian Economy
Most important money makers to Algeria's economy are oil and agriculture. But large parts of the revenues from oil do not reach the average Algerianbecause of corruption and badly planned projects. Algeria's economy is to a major degree decided by the present political situation. Before the civil war started around 1992, Algeria had a fairly diversified economy, and the frames of this have probably survived the clashes that still take place.
Other industries are aiming at the domestic market as well as export of semi-refined goods to Europe. This industry has suffered heavily political situation over the recent years.Agriculture has
Malawi: Basic Information
Full Country Name: The Republic of Malawi
Area: 118,000 sq. km
Population: 11,651,239 (est. 2003)
Capital City: Lilongwe
Key Date: 6 July (Independence Day)
People: Malawian
Languages: English, Chichewa
Religion(s): Protestant (55%), Roman Catholic (20%), Muslim (20%), indigenous beliefs (3%), other beliefs (2%)
Currency: Malawian Kwacha
Government system: Multiparty democracy
Major political parties: United Democratic Front (UDF), Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Republican Party (RP), Peoples' Progressive Movement (PPM)
Government: United Democratic Front (UDF)
Head of State: President Bingu wa Mutharika
Foreign Minister: Hon George Chaponda
Membership of international groupings/organisations: Commonwealth, Southern African Development Community (SADC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), African Union (AU), United Nations.
An introduction to South Africa
South Africa really is a whole world in one country. European city life, western culture, modern health care, a well maintained network of roads and a functioning economy are combined with the ancient beauty of the nature and traditional culture of the African continent, which never fails to enchant us with its unique wealth of plants and animals.
South Africa has an essentially dual agricultural economy, comprising a well-developed commercial sector and a predominantly subsistence-oriented sector in the rural areas. Only about 13% of South Africa’s surface area can be used for crop production, of which just
Malawi : Travel Tips
In the near future the information below will be incorporated into the relevant Travel Advice Notice and the Tips will cease to exist as a separate entity.
-Arrange comprehensive travel Insurance and carry the details with you.
-Check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice for Malawi.
-Visitors should carry identity documents at all times. Keep a photocopy of your passport with you separate from the original.
-Enter next of kin details into the back of your passport.
-Bring enough money. Credit cards are not widely accepted in Malawi. You should carry Traveller's cheques or cash.
Malawi: Saftey and Security
Terrorism
The threat from terrorism is low. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets including places frequented by foreigners.
Crime
Be alert to muggers, bag-snatchers and con men. You should exercise caution with over-friendly people who approach you offering to act as tour-guides. On public transport, do not accept food or drink from fellow passengers as it may be drugged: the victim falls unconscious and is then robbed.
In Lilongwe, the majority of attacks on visitors take place on Kenyatta Drive and around the bus station. You should
