Outlining the development plans for the prime tourist district, Mutharika said soon a president of an Egyptian development bank will be in the country to ink a loan accord for the key development initiatives.

“I want Mangochi to be the Acapuco of Malawi,” said Mutharika, in reference to the Mexican city of Acapuco, a tourist draw-card.

Tourism is seen in Malawi as one of the important areas that can spur economic growth and replace agriculture agriculture as the mainstay of the economy. But lack of first class facilities, very good road network to national parks to attract big spending tourists back-pedals development. 

Mutharika said overall he wants to develop the Eastern region which comprises of Mangochi, Machinga, Zomba, Ntcheu and Balaka districts by continuing road construction projects of Zomba-Liwonde, Mangochi-Monkey Bay and Liwonde industrial park and port.

He strongly believes infrastructure development was the panacea for economic development and wants to develop Malawi "beyond recognition."