Liberal Democrat spokesperson for External Affairs Iain Smith MSP has urged the Scottish Government to focus on encouraging local economies to flourish in Malawi by sending aid as cash rather than objects that can be bought locally.

Mr Smith is the Liberal Democrat Member of the European and External Relations Committee, which took evidence about Scotland’s aid links with Malawi.

Commenting, Mr Smith said:

“Surely the end aim of giving aid to Malawi is for the country to be able to stand on its own feet.

“It is important that the aid that Scotland provides to Malawi supports local markets. There is little point sending items that can be produced and sold locally to Malawi.

“In the long-term it is, therefore, better to send money to enable those in Malawi to purchase locally available goods.”