The Government announced on Tuesday, October 28, that it has concessioned the construction and operation — for a period of ten years under a public-private partnership (PPP) — of the Ressano Garcia International Road Terminal, the main border connecting Mozambique to South Africa.
“The Council of Ministers reviewed and approved, under a public-private partnership, the assignment to a private operator for the construction, operation, maintenance, management, and eventual return to the State of the Ressano Garcia International Goods Road Terminal infrastructure, for the commercial operation of cross-border public services over a period of ten years,” explained government spokesperson Inocêncio Impissa.
Without revealing the name of the company, Impissa stated that under the approved terms, the concessionaire must carry out modernization works at the terminal within a maximum of 18 months, as well as invest in building a new tourist border post capable of accommodating the services of all public agencies involved in the migration process, one-third of which will be financed as a social contribution by the concessionaire.
“The concessionaire will also make improvements to traffic circulation in the border area, increase the number of lanes, construct a viaduct for diverted access to the Ressano Garcia International Terminal, and create a new exit to improve the flow and efficiency of truck management,” he added.
South Africa is Mozambique’s largest supplier of goods and one of its main export destinations. In addition, it uses Mozambique’s ports, particularly Maputo, to transport various exports by land, including minerals.
In March, the Governments of Mozambique and South Africa announced plans to implement a “single-stop” system along the Maputo Corridor, aiming to streamline the transport of goods and avoid bureaucratic delays that create long queues at the Ressano Garcia border.
“We intend to implement the single-stop system and are already working on the process. Lately, many trucks traveling from South Africa to Maputo port and vice versa take a long time due to long queues and bureaucratic issues. Therefore, we aim to simplify business between the two countries,” explained President Daniel Chapo following a meeting with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, during an official visit to the neighboring country.
At the time, the Mozambican head of state emphasized that the South African government had guaranteed continued investments in Mozambique, as well as the maintenance of historic ties of friendship and solidarity for the well-being of both nations.
For his part, Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of “a new chapter in cooperation between the two countries,” pointing to areas of policy, diplomacy, economy, and the creation of stability in Mozambique following the general elections of October 9.
“There are several economic cooperation projects in the pipeline, including the implementation of efficient border posts that will facilitate trade and create more jobs for young people.”
Ramaphosa was one of only two heads of state to attend Chapo’s inauguration ceremony on January 15, during which he emphasized that Mozambique should work together with South Africa for peace, democracy, and development.
Source: Diário Económico
