President Daniel Chapo on Monday called for Mozambique to turn the diversity of its economic potential into an integrated national force capable of generating greater value, employment and development.
Speaking at the opening of the 61st edition of the Maputo International Trade Fair (FACIM), the head of state said the country’s main challenge was to stop viewing its different economic assets in isolation and instead establish links between them to maximise value creation.
“The challenge is to transform this diversity of potential into a single national economic force,” the President said, stressing the need to strengthen links between industry, ports and international markets.
According to Chapo, an economy is not transformed simply through the existence of its assets, but when they are interconnected, work together and create value for one another.
In this context, he highlighted the need to connect national production to the main corridors and logistics infrastructure, particularly the ports of Maputo and Beira, as well as infrastructure in the northern region.
The President described FACIM as a reflection of Mozambique’s economic diversity and strength, bringing together sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, energy, digital technologies, tourism, the blue economy, services, handicrafts, scientific research and youth creativity in one place.
“Each province brings part of itself to this fair, a part of the economic strength of our Mozambican people, of our industrial and commercial identity and of the soul of Mozambique,” he said.
Chapo also highlighted the role of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the economic diversification strategy, arguing that they should grow and become integrated into national and international supply chains.
For the head of state, the size of an economy should not be measured solely by the volume of major investments it manages to attract, but also by those investments’ ability to help national companies grow, generate jobs and ensure that a greater share of value remains in the country.
The President also identified the processing of national resources as a priority, arguing that natural gas should drive industrialisation, graphite should be incorporated into new industrial value chains and cotton should be transformed into clothing produced in the country.
He said this approach should enable the construction of a diversified, competitive and sustainable economy, creating opportunities particularly for young people and women.
“Mozambique’s future will not be built by the state alone, nor by companies alone. It will be built by all of us, working together,” he said.
Chapo therefore called for joint action between the public sector, private sector and development partners, based on trust, discipline, responsibility, competence, integrity and innovation.
“Our struggle is not just for growth, but this growth must be accompanied by development,” he added.
The President reaffirmed that the Government would continue to implement reforms aimed at improving the business environment, including simplifying administrative procedures, digitising public services and reducing costs associated with business activity.
The 61st edition of FACIM is being held under the theme “Digital and energy transformation towards a sustainable economy”, bringing together companies, investors and national and foreign delegations.
Source: AIM Moçambique
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