IX. Business Travel Business Custom Malawians are characteristically reserved, polite, and helpful. Business dealings are conducted on a similar basis. It is not normally necessary to "give a gift" in order to obtain services. Travel Advisory/Visa requirement The Department of State has no current travel advisories for the country of Malawi. U.S. citizens do not require visas when entering Malawi for the purposes of business or vacation travel. Temporary residence permits are issued upon arrival in Malawi and are normally granted for up to 30 days. Upon application, extensions are often granted. Holidays In 1994, Malawi will observe the following official holidays: January 3 (New Year's), March 3 (Martyrs' Day), April 1 (Good Friday), April 4 (Easter Monday), May 16 (Kamuzu Day Observed), July 6 (Republic Day), October 17 (Mothers' Day Observed), December 21 (National Tree Planting Day), December 26 (Boxing Day), December 27 (Christmas Day Holiday Observed). Business Infrastructure Ground Transportation - By African standards, Malawi's road network is well developed and well maintained. The country's main road is a paved two lane highway connecting the southern commercial city of Blantyre, with the centrally located capital of Lilongwe, and the northern city of Mzuzu. A branch of this highway connects Lilongwe with the southern towns of Balaka and Zomba. A second major road has recently been completed and connects Lilongwe with the lake side community of Salima. A third major road is scheduled to connect the northern lake shore communities of Nkhata Bay and Nkotakota with Lilongwe. It should be completed by mid-1995. Paved roads, although of lesser quality, also connect the southern tea estates with Blantyre, and the Southern town of Zomba with Blantyre. Rental cars are available for hire in Blantyre and Lilongwe. Driving at night is not recommended anywhere in the country. Malawi has an extensive network of buses, but only the most exclusive bus service connecting Blantyre, Lilongwe, and Mzuzu would normally be considered acceptable for business travel. Air Transportation -- Airports on the outskirts of Lilongwe and Blantyre handle international air traffic. Lilongwe is serviced by British Airways, KLM, South African Airways, Air France/UTA, Air Zimbabwe, Kenya Air and Air Malawi. Air Malawi, the country's air carrier, services regional African destinations as well as domestic routes. Recently it expanded its domestic air service to include Likoma Island. It has tentative plans to service the Nyika Plateau and the northern city of Karonga. All non-Malawian passport holders departing Malawi on international air flights must pay a USD 20.00 airport departure tax. This fee can only be paid in U.S. dollars. Rail Transportation -- Malawi Railways is discontinuing its passenger service. Freight services are available in connection with the Northern Corridor route from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. The refurbishing of the rail line through Mozambique to the Indian Ocean port of Nacala, also offers opportunities for rail freight service. Boat Transportation -- Transportation by boat on Lake Malawi is presently not commercially dependable. There is some discussion within the business community of instituting a river boat transport service from the Shire River to the Zambezi River, and then into the Indian Ocean. These discussions will not come to fruition within 1994. Language - English is the official language of Malawi, and in the urban centers, is sufficient for communication. Most rural Malawians do not speak English. The most common vernacular languages include Chichewa (throughout the country), Chitumbuka (primarily in the North), and Yao (primarily in the South). Communication Facilities - Malawi's telecommunication infrastructure is overburdened but, by African standards, relatively good. Most corporate offices and tourist class hotels have working telephones and telefaxes which can transmit and receive both local and international messages. The international telephone country code for Malawi is 265. Housing - Short term visitors to Malawi would most likely stay in one of Malawi's tourist class hotels. Each major urban area - Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzuzu - has a suitable hotel. Accommodations in lakeside resorts are also available. Suitable accommodations in rural areas are less easily identified. Expatriate residents in Malawi live in modern housing primarily available in the major urban centers. Power and water are generally dependable in Blantyre and Lilongwe. Mzuzu and Zomba experience regular periods of inadequate water supply. The aggregate housing stock goes through extremes with some periods of easy availability and others of scarcity. Local real estate management agents are available to help with housing. Health - Malawi's national health facilities are generally below Western standards. Malaria and other tropical diseases are prevalent throughout the country. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended while in Malawi, as are full immunizations before entering the country. Food - Many types of food, including fresh meat, chicken, fish, and seasonal vegetables, are normally available in Malawi's urban shops. These same stores also usually carry a selection of imported goods from South Africa, the UK, and Zimbabwe. Rural food availability is more sporadic. Due to price controls, sugar is often not available in stores but can be readily obtained - at higher prices - in local markets. Section 1 - Country Profile 1993 1994 1995 Population: (millions) 9.7 10.0 10.4 Growth Rate: (percent) 3.4 3.4 3.4 Religions: Catholic, Presbeterian (Church of Scotland and Dutch Reformed Curch), Islam. Government System: multiparty democracy. Languages: English (official language), Chicewa, Tumbuka, Yao, Tonga, Lomwe, and Sena. Work Week: Monday to Friday. Sources: Ministry of Finance National Statistical Office