The Secretary of State for Industry, Custódia Paunde, expressed on Thursday, June 19, during the official opening of the Mozambique–Turkey Business Forum in Maputo, the government’s intention to end the economic model based solely on the export of raw materials. She advocated for industrialization as the path to economic independence.
“We no longer want to be mere exporters. We want to process and transform our raw materials locally,” she stated, adding that the country is committed to converting its natural resources into jobs, income, and value-added products.
Before Turkish businesspeople and government representatives, Custódia Paunde emphasized that Mozambique is entering a “new era of governance” under the leadership of President Daniel Chapo, with a clear focus on industrialization. According to the Secretary of State, this strategy aims to promote resilient and inclusive industrial value chains that can reduce imports, improve the trade balance, and position the country as a regional and international supplier of processed goods.
Among the priority sectors for partnerships and foreign investment, she highlighted agro-industry, energy, civil construction, aquaculture, livestock, chemicals, metals, and textiles. “The Turkish companies present here are, without a doubt, ideal partners in this effort,” she emphasized.
The Secretary also presented a set of ongoing legal and administrative reforms aimed at making the country a more attractive destination for private investment. These include the new Private Investment Law, the new Foreign Exchange Law, a revision of the Labour Law, the new regulation for hiring foreign labour, and tax reforms on VAT and personal income tax (IRPS), which are already showing benefits in the agricultural sector. “We want to turn Mozambique into a competitive, inclusive, and sustainable industrial production hub,” she reiterated, inviting Turkish entrepreneurs to invest in the country, either individually or in partnership with local businesses.
Chamber of Commerce Calls for Lasting Partnerships
In her remarks, Yolanda Fernandes, Vice-President of the Mozambique Chamber of Commerce (CCM), highlighted the importance of the forum as a platform for identifying business opportunities, establishing lasting partnerships, and strengthening public–private dialogue. “Mozambique has all the elements to position itself as a production and export platform for the region and the world,” she said.
Yolanda Fernandes presented CCM as an institution with national and international legitimacy to represent the private sector, with more than a thousand active members in the country and abroad.
Turkey Highlights Growing Economic Ties
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Ambassador to Mozambique, Ferhat Alkan, underlined the growth of bilateral relations in trade, energy, and investment. He stated that Turkey is ready to be a strategic partner not only in business and infrastructure but also in innovation and logistics. “We are confident that we will take new significant steps toward a more prosperous future for our countries,” he said.
The Mozambique–Turkey Business Forum takes place this Thursday, June 19, in Maputo, bringing together public entities, entrepreneurs, and investors from both countries. Key topics include tax incentives, sectoral opportunities, and financing mechanisms for joint projects.
Source: DE
