Maputo, 23 Nov (AIM) – The Mozambican government and the European Union on Wednesday signed financing agreements for five projects in the areas of energy, digitalization, the blue economy and technical and professional training.
Each project, according to a report in the independent daily “O Pais”, is budgeted at between 130 and 140 million euros (between 141 and 153 million US dollars, at the current exchange rate).
The agreements were signed at the start of the “Global Gateway” business and investment forum between Mozambique and the EU held in Maputo.
The purpose of the two day event is to draw up strategies to attract investment to Mozambique.
“Our conviction and expectation for this Forum rest on our strategic partnership with the European Union as our largest multilateral trading partner, and in the certainty that it is best to invest and do business in Mozambique and with Mozambicans”, declared the Minister of Industry and Trade, Silvino Moreno.
“Our joint commitment”, he added, “is to hold this event repeatedly with the active participation of businesses and for their benefit”.
Opening the event, Prime Minister Adriano Maleiane hoped the forum would be a platform to strengthen business cooperation between Mozambique and the EU, and would increasingly involve the private business sector.
It should become “a true corporate and strategic platform to promote and capitalize upon business and investment opportunities that will strengthen the relations between Mozambican and European businesses”.
Maleiane invited European business people to continue investing, particularly in Mozambican agriculture and energy.
“Our country has immeasurable agro-ecological potential, which allows a diversified agriculture and the development of value chains that can drive industrialization”, he said.
Mozambique also has great potential in terms of renewable and environmentally-friendly sources of energy, with particular stress on hydro-electricity, wind and solar power, and natural gas, said the Prime Minister.
For his part, Simone Santi, representing the European Chamber of Commerce (Eurocam), declared that Mozambique “is the right country for entrepreneurs to invest in”.
Agostinho Vuma, chairperson of the Confederation of Mozambican Business Associations (CTA), said the presence of European businesses has contributed greatly to the growth of Mozambique’s Gross Domestic Product.
Private European investment in Mozambique to date has exceeded 60 billion US dollars.
The five agreements were signed by Mozambican Foreign Minister Veronica Macamo and by the EU Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson.
The agreements include the rehabilitation of the Cahora Bassa hydro-electric dam and power station on the Zambezi, and the “Vamoz Digital” Initiative, intended to reduce the “digital divide”. This is intended to support a policy and regulatory framework that will stimulate innovation, the skills of young people and the inclusion of girls and women, particularly those living in situations of vulnerability.
(AIM)
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