The Japanese Government has reiterated on the need for Malawi to invest in her youthful population towards achieving the much anticipated social and economic development.

Japanese Ambassador to Malawi Satoshi Iwakiri said this in Lilongwe during the opening of Lilongwe Women and Youth Vocational Training Center at Kauma.

According to Iwakiri, both government and stakeholders need to come together with the aim of promoting more jobs for the country`s young people.

“Here in Malawi is very young country, there are so many young people here so promoting their jobs is very important for this country`s development,” said Iwakiri.

On his part, Secretary for Youth and Sports Oliver Kumbambe has expressed gratitude to the Japanese Government for the gesture rendered saying that it will boost the country`s entrepreneurship and employment  opportunities.

“As the Malawi Government we really appreciate gesture that the people of Japan have undertaken to construct the Center, we are appreciative because as everyone is aware that the government of Malawi has put youth development agenda as one of its main priorities,” said Kumbambe.

Meanwhile, Lilongwe City Center lawmaker Alfred Jiya has said the construction of the youth center will reduce crime rate in his area as the young people will be busy with various vocational skills.

“Kauma is a populous township and the number of youth is very high and most of them don’t do any economic activity, they just stay, as you know that idleness is the devil`s workshop.”

“By bringing in this magnificent project to Kauma it means we are addressing a number of issues that would have occurred,” said Jiya.