Malawi plan for canal to sea

Landlocked Malawi has submitted plans to the Nepad secretariat for the building of a canal to connect Malawi with the Mozambican port of Chinde. The canal, which would allow water-borne traffic to ply exports and imports to and from the Indian Ocean, could cut freight costs by some 60%. Malawi's President Bingu Wa Muthikara is hopeful the project will be funded by participating governments, Nepad members, donor agencies and the private sector. Malawi's main exports are sugar, tea, fruit, coffee and some minerals.