Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique agree to enhance trade cooperation

Three African leaders on Monday agreed to cement cooperation in various areas.

Zambia's Edgar Lungu held triangular talks with his Malawian counterpart Peter Mutharika and Mozambique's Filipe Nyusi in Lilongwe, the Malawian capital, according to state broadcaster, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.

Lungu told reporters after the talks that the meeting was aimed at enhancing trade cooperation among the three countries, and that the countries were looking at growing businesses in the region.

The three leaders resolved to open up a trade route, Nacala Corridor, which is aimed at boosting trade through the Port of Nasa in Mozambique to manage the refugee crisis and the food security situation.

His Malawian counterpart said the food security in his country had affected 3 million people, and that Malawi was ready to import 1.2 million tons of maize grains from the region to deal with the food deficit.

The meeting, which lasted for five hours, also tackled the political situation in the three countries, and transportation of goods on waterways and other modes of transport.