LILONGWE — NBS Bank, a subsidiary of NICO Group, has contributed K300 million towards the 55th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region Conference being held in Lilongwe, calling on Parliament to use the high-profile gathering to promote Malawi as a destination for tourism and investment.

The financial support is aimed at helping the conference, which has brought together parliamentarians and other stakeholders from across the Commonwealth’s Africa region, to deliver benefits that go beyond the event itself.

NICO Group Chief Executive Officer Vizenge Kumwenda said the conference provides Malawi with a valuable platform to showcase its economic potential, tourist attractions and investment opportunities to an international audience.

Kumwenda said the country should take advantage of the presence of delegates from different parts of Africa and the Commonwealth to market Malawi and create opportunities that can continue generating value long after the conference ends.NBS Bank Launches ‘Kwakoma ndi ku NBS Bank Promotion’ to Boost Savings Culture Among Malawians

“The conference presents an important opportunity for Malawi to create value beyond the event by promoting the country to potential investors and showcasing our tourism destinations,” Kumwenda said.

He said NBS Bank’s decision to support the conference was informed by the potential benefits the gathering could bring to Malawi, particularly if the country effectively uses the event to raise its international profile.

According to Kumwenda, hosting an international parliamentary gathering of this scale gives Malawi an opportunity to expose visitors to the country’s tourism attractions while also highlighting areas where investors can participate in the economy.

He said such engagements can contribute to national development by strengthening Malawi’s visibility as an investment and tourism destination.

The conference has also provided an opportunity for local institutions and businesses to demonstrate their commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance Malawi’s international standing.

Kumwenda said NBS Bank considers its contribution not merely as financial sponsorship but as an investment in an event capable of creating wider economic opportunities for the country.

Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleiman has commended NBS Bank for the contribution, saying the funding has helped Parliament address a financial shortfall in preparations for the conference.NBS Bank Pledges More Investment in Digital Innovation

Suleiman said the bank’s intervention had come at an important time and would help Parliament meet some of the financial requirements associated with hosting the regional gathering.

He thanked NBS Bank and NICO Group for supporting Parliament and contributing towards the successful hosting of the conference.

The 55th CPA Africa Region Conference has placed Malawi in the spotlight as parliamentarians from across the region converge in Lilongwe to deliberate on issues affecting parliamentary democracy, governance and development.

For Malawi, however, the gathering also presents an opportunity to convert the international attention generated by the conference into tangible economic benefits.

The call from NBS Bank is therefore for Parliament and other stakeholders to look beyond the immediate success of the conference and deliberately use the presence of international delegates to promote Malawi’s tourism attractions and investment opportunities.

With delegates drawn from different countries, the conference offers a ready audience for showcasing Malawi’s natural attractions, business opportunities and potential investment sectors.NBS Bank Family Banking Service Attracts 320 Families as Bank Unveils K240 Million Golf Partnership

The success of the initiative, however, will depend on how effectively Malawi follows up on the exposure created during the conference and turns international interest into actual tourism visits, investment commitments and business partnerships.

NBS Bank’s K300 million contribution has consequently added a private-sector dimension to the conference, while highlighting the potential for major national events to serve as platforms for economic promotion and development.