UDFCurrently, Malawi laws prohibit its citizens from owing allegiance to another country.
However, the UDF manifesto made available to Nyasa Times by the party's secretary-general Kennedy Makwangwala, the government will allow Malawians to obtain another country's citizenship.
There are many Malawians living and working abroad as professionals and entrepreneurs. The remittances from the Malawian Diaspora account for a signicant amount of cash injected into Malawi, the party manifesto says.
UDF states that the remittances contribute signicantly to the country's development and that the Malawian Diaspora has huge potential to maximize their inuence in the country's economy.
We will empower the Malawians in the Diaspora to participate in the social, economic and political life of this country, vows UDF party.
It pledges to introduce in partnership with local banks and/or the Postal Corporation the most cost-effective, reliable and swift way to make remittances from abroad. The manifesto obsverses that there are high money transfer costs retained abroad in commissions.
UDF also promises to create an online Diaspora Data Bank in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to collect baseline information on Malawians abroad for networking.
There are many renowned experts in leading academic and nancial institutions. Their skills and knowledge can be tapped by those living at home to share and update their knowledge and skills, thus reversing the brain drain to a brain gain, reads the UDF manifesto.
The one-stop website should also provide up-to-date information on investment opportunities and jobs in the public and private sectors for those wishing to return.
UDF says it shall attract Diaspora investors and entrepreneurs by assisting them in setting up joint ventures with domestic companies.
Members of the Diaspora will be assisted quickly through the maze of company registration, licenses and permits required to start a business, promises UDF.
The party says it will also encourage and facilitate charitable ventures proposed by the members of the Diaspora, such as building health centre, schools or supplying toys for nurseries.
UDF pledges to: Encourage domestic nancial institutions to provide foreign currency mortgages to match the currency in which the salary for non-resident Malawians is earned, thus eliminating exchange risk.
The party says it will encourage the employment of qualied Malawians in the host countries as local staff in the embassies.
UDF says its government will appreciate and honour members of the Diaspora who have excelled in the host countries, in academia, commerce or philanthropy by awarding them such medals as may be determined.
The manifesto was launched by the party leader, Bakili Muluzi on March 21 in Mangochi.
Muluzi writes the foreword of the document saying the UDF blueprint is for creating a prosperous, democratic, equitable and united Malawi.
This is more than a manifesto, it is a statement of our faith in UDF's ability to reclaim, transform and develop our beloved nation. Indeed, it is the seal of our covenant with the Malawian people, writes Muluzi.
The manifesto is titled Proud of our past, confident in our futureProsperity with accountability, UDF Alliance Plan for Government.
Nyasa Times
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