Portugal will move to a fourth phase of cooperation in Mozambique island, which includes a set of broad projects in the area of education and social support to tourism, in order to develop the historical municipality.
“Our aim is to move on to the fourth phase of this set of cooperation projects, working together with the Mozambican authorities,” the Portuguese secretary of state for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Francisco André told Lusa.
The island of Mozambique was the place where Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama arrived 525 years ago, on his way to India, and where the country’s first capital was born. It is located in Nampula province and linked to the mainland by a three kilometre bridge.
The island was declared World Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1991.
According to Francisco André, the projects developed along that region have helped to renew the heritage and, above all, have allowed the economic and social development of the population.
“Our aim is that, by the end of the year and also under our Strategic Cooperation Programme, we can enter a new phase, verify if we maintain or add sectors of action and if we can increase the financial volume,” detailed Francisco André.
The set of programmes for Mozambique Island was launched by Portuguese cooperation with the Mozambican authorities in 2011 and has already been funded with a total of seven million euros, 73% of which was disbursed by Camões, Institute of Cooperation and Language.
The third phase (2019-2023), still underway, represents around half of the total funding and supports six distinct components, with a strong focus on education and training.
Support for pre-school education receives most of the funding, followed by strengthening education and training at the Mozambique Island Polytechnic Institute (IMPIM). This institution is in the final stages of installation of a kitchen laboratory, part of a strategy of investment in equipment and materials in the areas of Hospitality and Tourism.
