Brazilian authorities expect to formally announce a direct flight between Brazil and Maputo within the coming weeks, in what officials describe as a strategic move to bring the two countries' markets closer and reinforce Mozambique's role as a gateway to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
"Negotiations are under way and we expect the formalisation to happen in the coming weeks," said Laudemir Müller, president of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), speaking at the 61st Maputo International Fair (FACIM), which runs from 31 August to 5 September.
Without disclosing details of the future air link, Müller said the route would be designed to facilitate commercial relations between the two countries and strengthen Mozambique's position as an entry point into SADC markets. The initiative comes as Brazilian companies step up efforts to establish partnerships in Mozambique.
"Mozambique has an important market, with young, dynamic people, and offers a hub for the region," Müller said, adding that a direct connection would accelerate the engagement between Brazilian companies and Southern African markets.
ApexBrasil is participating in FACIM with Brazilian companies, cooperatives and institutions from the food, health, energy, gas and minerals sectors, with the aim of expanding business opportunities, partnerships and investment flows between the two countries. Brazil is the guest of honour at the 2026 edition of Mozambique's largest trade fair, which brings together approximately 3,000 exhibitors.
In the area of food security, the Brazilian delegation is showcasing products from family farming, including cashew nuts, beverages, animal protein and grains, and is participating alongside the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa). The institution intends to contribute to knowledge transfer and the training of Mozambican technicians, with a focus on developing smallholder and family agriculture.
"Mozambique has an important market, it is a market of young people, dynamic people, and offers a hub for the region" — Laudemir Müller
Health is also a priority area, with the participation of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) and private pharmaceutical and medicines manufacturers. According to ApexBrasil, Brazil's presence at the fair is also intended to stimulate local production of medicines and vaccines in both countries.
Energy, gas, the energy transition and minerals are further sectors identified as strategic. The Brazilian agency is advocating joint technology development, increased local content and the transformation of mineral resources into higher value-added products. "Brazil is the country that supports. It is clear we are not the only one, but we want to be a priority country for Mozambique," Müller said.
Brazil's participation is also aimed at bringing companies from both sides closer together, though ApexBrasil emphasised that closing deals ultimately rests with the companies themselves. Müller said he had already observed meetings between Brazilian companies and potential Mozambican buyers on the first day of the fair, but cautioned it was too early to assess results.
"It is our companies that close deals. So our expectations are the best possible. We always hope that companies make good contacts and, to the extent possible, do business," Müller said.
Mozambique's largest trade fair opened on Monday in Ricatla with 2,500 national exhibitors, 650 foreign participants and a projected 55,000 visitors. The venue is fully booked, though the real test will be converting the scale of the event into export contracts, investment commitments and new business partnerships.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=535957
