This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Funding to support tourism development in Malawi
10/11/2006
Scottish tourism experts are set to help Malawi develop its tourism industry, backed by funds from the Scottish Executive.
The Moffat Centre at Glasgow Caledonian University has been awarded £249,500 from the International Development Fund to develop and upgrade a sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Training and Education Centre in Blantyre, Malawi.
Up to eight full time members of staff will be qualified to Masters level and will have the knowledge and confidence to upgrade and develop the Malawi Institute of Tourism (MIT) syllabus and course portfolio.
The collaboration is part of the Sustainable Tourism Strand of the co-operation agreement signed between Scotland and Malawi last November.
The Minister with responsibility for both Tourism and International Development, Patricia Ferguson said:
"The Moffat Centre is recognised as a world leader in tourism business development and academic research.
"It will offer Malawi invaluable advice to assist it to develop its tourism industry, which has the potential to attract much needed foreign investment and generate skilled job opportunities across the whole of the country."
Professor Lennon Director of the Moffat Centre said:
"This is a great example of practical, targeted assistance that will deliver on the ground results.
"We will see infrastructure upgrade, subject development and upgrade in education, training and linkages to the industry.
"We will use the lessons we have learned from our close relations with the industry to ensure maximum impact with our Malawian partners"
On November 3, 2005, HE Dr Bingu wa Mutharika and the First Minister signed a historic co-operation agreement in Edinburgh which outlined the areas in which the two countries would work together to cement bonds that stretch back 150 years to Dr David Livingstone. These are: civic governance and civil society, sustainable economic development, health and education.
Tourism is recognised by the Government of Malawi as one of the key sectors for growth. Tourism has been similarly recognised as a priority area for development through the Sustainable Economic Development Strand of Scotland-Malawi Co-operation Agreement.