The President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, reiterated this Monday, 26 August, at the official opening of the 59th edition of the Maputo International Fair (FACIM) , the importance of transforming the country’s natural resources as a way of adding value to the production chain.
After the awards ceremony for 11 categories of companies that stood out during the year in various areas, the statesman explained that ‘we can say that we are prepared for the implementation of the Sovereign Fund, with transparent mechanisms for investment and absorption of resources, as well as a governance structure that goes through the Assembly of the Republic, but we are aware that this is not all yet,’ he said, reiterating: ‘the challenge remains for the country to move away from the mere extraction of resources towards industrial transformation, developing high-value chains in the nation and the region.’
Filipe Nyusi
As for industrialisation, which is one of the focal themes of the current edition of FACIM, the head of state pointed out that mechanisms are being created for the diversification and industrialisation of the economy, where natural resources could give way to various national products after their transformation.
‘Our National Development Strategy 2015-2035 extends our vision of structural transformation of the economy, expansion and diversification of the productive base. The National Programme to Industrialise Mozambique (PRONAI) is one of the fundamental instruments for its materialisation and follows the routes of our resources to processing.’
With regard to mineral resources, Filipe Nyusi emphasised that the country currently has titanium, iron and zircon in Pebane and Xibuto; cooking gas refining in Temane, Inhambane province; graphite in Balama, Cabo Delgado province; and several cement factories in other regions of the country.
Use of domestic gas from the Rovuma basin
‘We are already ahead of schedule with the plan to use domestic gas from the Rovuma basin, with the implementation of onshore modules over the next few years. With this, we will immediately have three worthy results: fertilisers, liquid fuels and energy generation,’ he said.
Gas platform
The head of state also pointed out that this has been the process of transforming ‘our economic base, because our strategic intention is to move on from the secular phase of being less of an exporter of primary products. We have to move on to a phase that consists of transforming our raw materials, adopting a model based on product quality, logistical flexibility and the qualification of national workers.’
Energy transition
During his speech, the Mozambican President said that there is a great opportunity in the region, in the global market, for companies looking to invest in the energy sector. ‘In this context, in addition to the traditional sectors, new opportunities arise for our entrepreneurs in the era of the energy transition, because our country has great potential in this sector,’ he said.
Renewables
FACIM is taking place at the Ricatla International Fair and Exhibition Centre, located in the Marracuene district of Maputo province, and its theme is ‘Industrialisation: Innovation and Diversification of the National Economy’.
It will last seven days (from 26 August to 1 September) and will showcase the country’s potential for production and exports, as well as promoting business and investment opportunities in the various segments of economic activity.
This year, 2,300 nationals and 650 foreigners from 25 countries around the world have been attracted, spread over more than ten pavilions and free spaces, and all economic sectors, associations, public and private companies are also invited.
The fair is a platform for exchange and co-operation and will feature a range of activities including exhibitions, seminars, promotion sessions and contact exchanges.
