In an effort to boost competitiveness and investment in national logistics corridors, the World Bank (WB) revealed during the 19th Annual Private Sector Conference (CASP), taking place in Maputo, that around 76.2 million meticals (1.2 million dollars) have already been invested in transport infrastructure. The investments, spread over five projects, were considered strategic ‘to improve connectivity and boost trade, taking into account the needs of the transport and logistics sector’.
This was revealed by Emmanuel Taban, WB representative for transport project management, during the panel ‘Options for Boosting Competitiveness and Investment in National Logistics Corridors’, part of the second day of the CASP2024 event.
Emmanuel Taban explained that the investment totalled 76.2 million meticals (1.2 million dollars) and was spread over several ‘strategic projects’ aimed not only at improving internal mobility, but also at strengthening regional trade connections. ‘We are implementing five major projects which together reflect our commitment to sustainable development and poverty reduction in Mozambique,’ said the representative.
‘The projects underway include the rehabilitation and expansion of around 500 kilometres of the N1, a vital artery that connects the south to the north of the country, as well as the development of a new bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Maputo. The latter is intended to significantly improve urban mobility in the capital, facilitating access to jobs and essential services.’
In addition, the WB representative highlighted the focus on improving the climate resilience of road infrastructures in the provinces of Nampula and Zambézia, ‘thus strengthening the country’s capacity to face growing environmental challenges’, he emphasised. Another point highlighted was the creation of green corridors, which promote greater regional integration and reduce trade transaction costs between Mozambique and neighbouring countries such as Malawi and Zambia.
‘We believe that by improving transport infrastructure, we are not only facilitating trade and people’s mobility, but also boosting economic development in an inclusive way,’ Emmanuel Taban emphasised.
This edition of CASP, organised by the Confederation of Economic Associations (CTA) in partnership with the government, aims to reflect ‘on the progress and challenges of the Package of Economic Acceleration Measures and to debate the conditions of the business environment in order to make the country more competitive’. Projects valued at 75.8 billion meticals (1.7 billion dollars) will also be discussed.
Taking place under the theme ‘Investments and Business in the Environment of Economic Acceleration Measures: Challenges and Opportunities’, the three-day event (15, 16 and 17 May) will include 80 foreign businesspeople, more than 4,000 face-to-face participants and 20,000 virtual participants.
According to a CTA press release, there are also more than 40 national and foreign speakers and delegations from more than 12 countries, such as Mauritius, South Africa, Angola, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, France, Italy and Zimbabwe, among others.