On 17 May, 2011, a United States multi-sector business development team that is interested to participate in the energy sector held discussions with the MCA-Malawi Core Team in Lilongwe. The business team comprised of members from a cross section of companies in the energy, engineering and civil works and construction related sectors in the United States.The business team was organised by the Foundation for Democracy in Africa (FDA).

The FDA is a Non- Governmental Organisation which is committed to promoting culturally intrinsic programs aimed at enhancing sustainable development, democracy, freedom and economic plurality throughout Africa.  The First Secretary in the Embassy of the Republic of Malawi to the USA, Patrick Mphepo accompanied the team during the discussions with the MCA-Malawi Core Team. 

Mphepo said the Malawi Compact was used as a platform to market the trade mission into Malawi.“We have participants on the trade mission that were interested to participate in the energy sector particularly to look at the opportunities  that MCA-Malawi would be advertising in as far as tenders and all kinds of works are concerned,” said Mphepo.

During the meeting, members of the team were interested to learn more on private investment partnerships and business opportunities which would come up during Compact implementation. They were particularly interested in learning more about existing opportunities for the local companies to partner with international players.

 The leader of the business delegation Patrick Mphepo said members showed great interest in participating in works that would be required during the implementation of the Malawi Compact.

“There is quite a lot of interest and I am sure you will see a number of these companies getting back here and making enquiries and even participating in meetings and other events like the Energy Conference that is planned for the power sector or the bids issued out,” said Mphepo.

The US based multi - sector business team was also interested in tourism and wildlife, water development and building AGOA exports into Malawi.While in the country, the team also held meetings with government officials, the Malawi Investment Promotion Agency, the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Privatisation Commission.