Malawian President Joyce Banda is this afternoon expected to arrive in Zambia for a three-day state visit and also to attend Zambia’s 48th independence celebrations on Wednesday.

Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mganda Chiume said President Banda’s visit follows President Michael Sata’s invitation for her to visit Zambia.

Mr. Chiume’s was speaking to Journalists upon arrival at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport this afternoon.

The Malawian Foreign Affairs Minister who is leading the advance party was met on arrival by Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Effron Lungu and Malawian High Commissioner to Zambia David Bandawe.

Mr. Chiume said Zambia and Malawi have continued to enjoy warm relations dating as far back as the pre independence times for the two countries.

He said nothing should ever come in between the two countries to deter them from enjoying the cordial relations.

Meanwhile, Zambia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Effron Lungu said the state visit by President Banda of Malawi was important for the two countries.

Dr. Lungu called for the need for the two countries to scale up trade relations for their own economic benefit.

Zambia gave Malawi several millions of litres of fuel to help with the fuel shortage experienced at the hands of former president Bingu wa Mutharika.