Portugal’s secretary of state for the Economy on Monday called on Portuguese companies to take advantage of investment opportunities in Mozambique, arguing that the country offers the right conditions to serve as a platform for expansion in southern Africa.
“Mozambique will offer exceptional opportunities here in terms of infrastructure development,” said João Rui Ferreira, speaking to Lusa on the sidelines of the opening of the 61st Maputo International Fair (FACIM), which features around 100 Portuguese companies amongst nearly 3,000 exhibitors.
“I have no doubts, nor does the Portuguese Government, about the opportunities that exist. We are also aware of some of the difficulties; we are working on them, and they are well known. I believe that the current climate of calm, or of a degree of normality and stability, allows for some improvement in confidence and optimism here,” he said.
Asked about the current state of the Mozambican economy, with gas mega-projects moving forward and growing interest from Portuguese companies in this market, he considered that the context is favourable for investment.
He said he believed that “timing will be important”, adding that he sees greater opportunities in local production than simply in increasing exports to Mozambique.
“I am looking at this more from the perspective of Portuguese companies actually investing locally so that they can expand and establish their operations and business in Mozambique,” he explained, assuring that investment in the country could also serve as a “gateway” to the southern African market.
“I have come to convey a message of optimism and confidence, which we also feel in this drive to transform the Mozambican economy, as well as in Mozambique’s reformist spirit – to look at the major global transformations and focus on Portuguese investment as an investment based on trust and quality,” he said.
According to the secretary of state, Portugal’s institutional presence at FACIM aims to bolster business leaders’ confidence at a time when Mozambique is seeking to consolidate economic growth and attract more foreign investment.
“The message I have come to convey is also to instil that spirit and that determination, that optimism, in Portuguese companies – not only to view Mozambique as a domestic market, but also to use Mozambique as a springboard to expand their relations throughout this region,” he stated.
Ferreira considered that the country is well placed to play a significant role in southern Africa, highlighting sectors that are likely to offer new business opportunities in the coming years.
“There is a very clear commitment that Mozambique is seeking to make, and this represents an opportunity for Portugal in the field of tourism,” he added, emphasising that the potential of the Mozambican market should be viewed from a long-term perspective, based on the establishment and local growth of companies.
He also argued that the economic relationship between the two countries benefits from the existing political and institutional closeness between Lisbon and Maputo.
“This is also the message behind the continuation of the excellent institutional diplomatic relationship between the two governments: to reinforce this message, this transmission of trust, whilst also strengthening our support for Portuguese companies,” he said.
He also highlighted vocational training and human resources development as areas where Portuguese companies have been engaging in significant cooperation with Mozambique.
“Companies have been doing a great job of cooperating here,” he stated.
Photo: Lusa/Lina Cebola
The 61st Maputo International Fair (FACIM) is taking place between 31 August and 5 September at the Ricatla International Fair and Exhibition Centre, in the district of Marracuene, Maputo province. Regarded as Mozambique’s leading business showcase, this year’s edition has the theme “Digital and energy transformation for a sustainable economy” and was officially opened by the Mozambican president, Daniel Chapo.
The organisers expect nearly 3,000 exhibitors from 29 countries to take part, including around 600 foreign companies and 2,300 domestic exhibitors, and also hope to welcome around 55,000 visitors over the six days of the event. Brazil is participating as the guest of honour.
