an Deputy Agriculture Minister Binto Kutsaira said some 90,000
tons
have been shipped amid controversy in Lilongwe over the payment terms
extended to Harare.
Kutsaira declined to disclose where Zimbabwe was obtaining the funds
for the
grain deal, but other sources said some of the funding may be coming
from
the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank, better
known as
PTA Bank. Malawi meanwhile has extended Harare a US$10 million working
line
of credit.
The full consignment is expected to be delivered over the next six
months.
The Malawi government has stated that its bumper 2007 harvest allowed
it to
export the grain.
Malawian Principal Secretary of Agriculture and Food Security Patrick
Kabambe told reporter Patience Rusere of VOA’s Studio 7 for Zimbabwe
that
Malawi has confidence in Zimbabwe’s ability to pay – but exports will
be
stopped if Harare falls behind.
Despite the Malawian supplies, Deputy Director Nyika Musiyazvirivo of
Christian Care, one of the World Food Program’s main implementing
partners
in the distribution of aid to the country, said the infusion would not
cover
Zimbabwe’s grain-supply shortfall.- VOA
Post published in: News