The Mozambican President on Friday 12, called for a “boost” in the implementation of the Techobanine Integrated Project, a venture that also involves Zimbabwe and Botswana, estimated at more than 800 million dollars (more than 733 million euros).
Filipe Nyusi made the appeal during a summit with the heads of state of Zimbabwe, Emerson Mnangagwa, and Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, in Techobanine, Matutuíne district, Maputo province, southern Mozambique.
“Together we want to give the necessary impetus to activate the ‘demarches’ needed to prepare the investments that are intended (…), with the ultimate aim of materialising the Techobanine Integrated Project,” said the Mozambican head of state.
The project includes the construction of a port up to 20 metres deep and up to one kilometre from the coast, with access to international maritime routes, roads and railway lines linking the three countries and fuel storage tanks, at a cost of between 800 million dollars (733.7 million euros) and 1.9 billion dollars (1.7 billion euros), he continued.
The project, he continued, also includes the installation of a 13,000 hectare industrial zone to attract businesses linked to port operations and logistics.
“Due to the magnitude of this project, the Techobanine region will undergo a structural evolution and transformation due to the potential for the development of other economic activities, not only in the operations and logistics chain, but also through the relocation of other industrial units,” he emphasised.
To this end, he said it was urgent to start preliminary work on the project, namely market studies, the legal and commercial structure and the financing process, which will require “bank syndication”.
“A long period of preparation is expected, but the medium and long-term dynamics will guarantee a return,” said the head of state.
Filipe Nyusi stressed the importance of respecting the ecosystem conservation area of the region where the project will be located, assuring that respect for the environment will be at the centre of the Techobanine Integrated Project.
Lusa
