Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano argued today that the country must be better prepared to renegotiate contracts for the exploitation of natural resources with multinationals, in order to avoid continued dependence on big foreign capital.
The presidential candidates and political parties contesting the October 9 general elections in Mozambique have promised, during the current electoral campaign, to renegotiate contracts for the exploitation of natural resources so that the country can make more gains in this area and promote industrialisation through the retention and processing of raw materials.
‘To be able to renegotiate on a strong footing, the country needs to have the human, technological and financial capacity,’ said Joaquim Chissano, speaking to public broadcaster Radio Moçambique.
The country cannot demand greater advantages from the extraction of natural resources and then depend on the financial and technological resources of big foreign capital, continued the former Mozambican head of state (1986-2005).
Joaquim Chissano stressed that the country needs internal knowledge in order to capitalise on the natural resources needed for industrialisation.
‘Only by exploiting and transforming maritime, agricultural, forestry and mineral resources internally can the country quickly achieve its economic independence,’ said Chissano.
The issue of renegotiating megaprojects, he continued, should be debated by civil society, the private sector and the government.
Lusa
