HOPE NYOKA, Chipata
ZAMBIA Railways Limited (ZRL) and Malawi Railway Transport have signed a two-year operational permit on Chipata-Malawi- Mozambique Nacala corridor railway line to strengthen trade between the two countries.
ZRL Nacala corridor director Yubya Mwanawi and Malawi Railway Transport controller Geoffrey Magwede signed the extension of the agreement last week.
Mr Mwanawi is expected to haul three million tonnes of cargo by 2018 through Chipata-Malawi- Mozambique Nacala corridor railway line.
Last year, the company moved 100,000 tonnes of cargo through the corridor.
He said this at a development meeting with his Malawian counterparts where the companies renewed the permit on Chipata-Malawi- Mozambique Nacala corridor railway line.
Mr Mwanawi said the railway company, which has transported about 137,000 tonnes of cargo this year, is targeting to increase cargo haulage to three million tonnes by 2018.
At the same event, Mr Magwede said the company has extended the Nacala operation permit to strengthen business ties between the two countries.
“The Malawian government has approved [the use of] Nacala railway line to strengthen the relationship between the two countries and also to improve business standard,” he said.
Mr Magwede said this will reduce the cost of transport as railway is the most affordable mode of transport.
Meanwhile, Nacala Corridor Railway general manager Moses Sipimo said ZRL will increase the wagons from the current 46 to 71, which will also help in meeting the target of hauling the increased cargo by 2018.