On the 24th of June 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Francis Kasaila announced that his counterpart in the Federation of Malaysia, Honorable Saifuddin Abdullah, issued appointed Mr Ahmed Sunka to be Honorary Consulate of Malaysia In Malawi.
Kaisala signed a notice that his office released, approving the development, as part of the notice reads. “I, having approved this appointment to act in that capacity, hereby require that you receive, countenance, and as there may be occasions, favorably assist him, the said Mr Ahmed Sunka in the exercise of his office,”. Biznews reached out to the newly appointed Honorary Consulate to inquire more.
“I am privileged and honored to be given this role, in which I will look after the interests of Malaysians in Malawi as well as for Malaysia in different categories like trade, education and development objectives” said Sunka. Detailing the development further, Sunka said the Malaysian government is interested in trading in Malawi, both in imports and exports.
As for the educational sector, the Malaysian government wants Malawians from the public and private sectors to go for various trainings in Malaysia, all paid by the Malaysian government. On the other hand, the Malaysian universities will be open for Malawians to study at affordable prices. “Various curricula including engineering and medicine will be offered for Malawians to study in Malaysia. In business and development, Malaysia would like to take on investment opportunities in Malawi”.
Casting his vision as Honorary Consul, Sunka aims to improve the Malawi-Malaysia link, having more correspondence and a closer relationship. “This is the first time that Malaysia has appointed an Honorary Consulate in Malawi; this means that Malaysia sees Malawi as a focused country to work with”.
In a recent summit, the President of the Federation of Malaysia expressed interest in partnering with African nations. The development will unveil trading and development opportunities as Malawi will be one of the beneficiaries of the partnership. Ahmed Sunka is the Chief Executive Officer of Rab Processors Limited; under his role, the firm has seen two consecutive wins as the best manufacturing company in 2017 and 2018, as well as the launch of ThumbsUp carbonated soft drinks, a product that is sponsoring the Southern Region Football League, now known as ThumbsUp Football League. Prior to Rab Processors, Sunka has served on many boards including the Malawi Chamber of Commerce chairman of the Manufacturers Association as well, just to mention a few.