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| Documents/MGDS/10: INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT |
10: INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT Other Information: Infrastructure is one of the prerequisite for economic growth. It is a key component for creating an enabling environment for private sector driven growth and provision of timely and quality social services. Provision of infrastructure in the areas of transport (road, rail, air and water), water supply and sanitation, electricity, telecommunications, and information technologies contribute to enhanced productivity of business establishments in the country. Infrastructure services are complementary in nature and must be provided as a package for maximum benefits of development endeavours set in this Strategy. In general, infrastructure in Malawi is grossly inadequate, characterized by low availability, unreliability and expensive. Overall, the infrastructure limitations in Malawi can be attributed to weak transport infrastructure (network and condition); high cost of transportation resulting in high cost of goods and services; unreliable and expensive utilities (water, electricity, and telecommunication); weak capacity of information technology in both private and public sectors. This is compounded by Malawi'slandlockedstatus,whichisamajordisadvantagetobusinessesasit increases the costs to importers and exporters relative to regional competitors. If the country is to register positive economic growth these limitations need to be addressed. Development of infrastructure will contribute to the achievement of a number of the expected outcomes of the MGDS. Specifically, a well developed infrastructure will contribute to reduced cost of doing business in Malawi as it will improve its attractiveness as an investment destination; increased access to markets, clinics, schools, especially in rural areas and reduced incidence of water-borne diseases and environmental impacts from poor water usage and poor sanitation. However, the provision of infrastructure is not an end in itself but provides an enabling environment for the economic and social activities. In line with the goals of the MGDS, infrastructure development would focus on provision of infrastructure services as a package, which will promote activities in the various sectors of the economy. This theme is made up of five sub themes namely transport; energy; water and sanitation; information, communication technology; and science, technology and research. Government has singled out transport infrastructure particularly roads and marine with respect to the Shire Zambezi Waterway as some of the key priority areas for the MGDS. Similarly, energy, water and sanitation have also been singled out as key priority areas. It is envisaged that the development of these selected infrastructure development initiatives will contribute to the realization of the immediate economic benefits for Malawi. Hence these issues have been taken from this theme and are discussed in Chapter 4 within the context of Government's key priority areas for the short to medium-term. The remaining other focus areas are outlined below. Objective(s):
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