Mozambique intends to extend trade facilitation agreements with neighbouring countries, simplifying border procedures, with the aim of boosting the import and export of goods.
According to an article published by the newspaper Noticias on Monday 2 December, the intention was announced on Friday (29 November) by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Silvino Moreno, during the second annual session of the Trade Facilitation Committee, a body that brings together various players in the sector.
This initiative follows the agreement signed with the Republic of Malawi, which is already being implemented. It establishes a list of products that can be traded with less bureaucracy, thus promoting greater fluidity in cross-border operations.
‘One of the government’s roles in foreign trade relations is to simplify procedures so that the exchange of goods and services can be carried out more efficiently. We received an update on the progress of the agreement with Malawi and also on the one-stop projects,’ said the minister.
This agreement has the particularity of focusing on small and medium-sized foreign trade operators, for whom the aim is to create more favourable conditions for transactions.
According to Silvino Moreno, the expansion of these agreements to other countries in the region will further strengthen micro, small and medium-sized companies, which represent the majority of the Mozambican business fabric: ‘Our aim is to extend this initiative to countries like Zimbabwe and Zambia,’ he said.
The minister also highlighted the first encouraging results of the agreement with Malawi, although he emphasised the need to increase trade volumes in the near future.
