Intervenção do PR no Forbes Africa Day, em Nova Iorque
Maputo, 24 Sep (AIM) – Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has reaffirmed that the private sector plays a crucial role in the diversification and development of the country’s economy.
Speaking on Wednesday, in New York, at Forbes Africa Day, held on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Mozambique has potential in the energy, agriculture, tourism, mining, infrastructure, logistics, and digital economy sectors.
The event, which coincided with the launch of the English version of his book, entitled “From Captivity to the Presidency, Chapo said that the government is implementing reforms aimed at improving the business environment and facilitating investor entry.
“That is why we are undertaking many reforms. We are opening Mozambique up to business because we have enormous potential. We monitor investments and facilitate project implementation. Our vision for Mozambique is to diversify our economy”, he said.
The President referred to the liquefied natural gas projects in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, which involve Italy’s ENI, France’s Total, and the US-based ExxonMobil. However, he emphasized that the country’s resources must contribute to a more diversified economy.
According to Chapo, the government is working to remove business obstacles, improve the business environment, and establish partnerships with both domestic and foreign investors.
In the energy sector, he pointed to the country’s geographic location and the potential of the Cahora Bassa facility to supply electricity to SADC region countries. In this context, he referred to plans to increase energy production and develop transmission lines to meet regional demand.
Chapo also addressed fiscal discipline, citing the early repayment of Mozambique’s debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a demonstration of “discipline and responsibility.” He noted that the country is engaged in negotiations with the Fund for a new program, a process he described as proceeding positively.
On the legislative front, he highlighted the approval of new laws in the mining, oil and gas, and local content sectors aimed at improving the business environment, boosting revenue collection, and ensuring that investments contribute to job creation and opportunities for young people.
Also on Wednesday, the President held a meeting with the prominent economist Jeffrey Sachs. They both discussed strategies aimed at boosting Mozambique’s economic development, focusing on investments in education, health, and infrastructure, as well as the mobilization of international partnerships.
Sachs, as President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, expressed confidence in Mozambique’s ability to achieve rapid progress, advocating for a strategy based on enhancing human capital and strengthening infrastructure.
“I believe Mozambique can achieve very rapid economic development, a tremendous amount of progress. We discussed some of the strategies for a bright development future for Mozambique,” he stated.
(AIM)
NL/mz/Am/
