The Chairman of the Mozambique Stock Exchange (BVM), Salim Valá, argues that the agro-tourism sector can “catalyse and accelerate” rural development, as it has “the ability to exploit the synergies between the two economic areas and boost the remaining economic and social sectors.”
Speaking at a round table on the theme “Agro-Tourism: A New Business Area in Entrepreneurship in Mozambique”, held in the city of Maputo, Salim Valá said that the development of the local economy can benefit from adopting an integrated approach that also includes the manufacturing industry and dynamic domestic and cross-border trade.
“These areas acting in an integrated way can push back poverty, reduce social inequalities and generate quality jobs,” he said.
In his speech, the PCA of Bolsa emphasised that agro-tourism initiatives were, on a global scale, important to exploit dormant economic potential in the territories, integrate the activities of the population to the market, enhance and monetise local culture as well as to conserve the environment and combat rural exodus.
“There are good experiences of agro-tourism development in other quadrants of the world, such as the cases of Brazil, India, Italy, Malaysia, Portugal, Indonesia, among others, which one can learn from them, obviously with the proper adaptations,” he stressed.
According to Valá, with 66% of the population living and working in rural areas, and depending mostly on low productivity agriculture, “it is fundamental that the country brings more capital, technologies, trained people and a more transversal approach to deal with economic problems to the rural areas.
“Throughout its extensive coastline of 2,800 kilometres there is immense potential to explore the synergies between the various economic activities, promoting inclusive businesses from a social, sectoral, territorial and gender perspective,” he stressed.
He also noted that agri-tourism projects were sensitive to women and young people, boosted the role of SMEs, explored local creativity and were a fertile field for the great entrepreneurs of the future.
The same source also recognised the strategic importance of training and research institutions in the dissemination of technologies that allow for greater production and productivity as well as the need to implement infrastructures to support business development.
“As BVM, we are available, taking into account the nature and within the remit and powers of the Exchange, to be part of the solution for financing agri-tourism projects, promoting rural entrepreneurs and being the platform for fostering inclusive and ethical business,” he stressed.
