ExportaMoz Solutions – an initiative dedicated to supporting Mozambican small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in international trade – held a workshop in Maputo on Thursday 20 February on International Trade and Access to Financing for Exports, highlighting strategic partnerships to boost exports in the country.
The event brought together business leaders from various sectors and aimed to train Mozambican exporting SMEs, equipping them with practical knowledge about international trade, access to finance and best risk mitigation practices. The initiative also promoted specialised training, networking and interaction with strategic partners.
ExportaMoz’s Senior Executive Director for Studies and Development, José Carlos Mboa, stressed that the organisation’s main objective is to facilitate the export process for Mozambican producers, allowing them to focus on quality and expanding their production capacity.
‘Our job is to simplify the process. The producer has to produce and the buyer has to buy. The producer doesn’t have to worry about logistics or access to public funding. ExportaMoz makes this connection and integrates the whole process,’ he said.
ExportaMoz also announced strategic partnerships to extend financing opportunities for national producers, highlighting the collaboration with Moza Banco and the British High Commission. Currently, the most sought-after products for export include beans, sesame and avocado, as well as other vegetables.
During the event, the 2nd edition of the Exporter’s Guide manual was launched, a digital book that expands on the contents of the first edition and offers detailed information on export support services, especially those related to finance and insurance, which are considered vital drivers for boosting international trade.
The Provincial Director of Industry and Commerce, Joel Julião Nhassengo, highlighted the importance of the partnership between Maputo and ExportaMoz, established at the end of last year: ‘At first, we didn’t have a clear idea about this company, but after productive meetings and discussions, we realised that the province needs to insert itself into the international export window. That’s why we decided to collaborate.’
In addition to fruit, Maputo province also exports vegetables.
On this occasion, he emphasised Maputo province’s export potential, mentioning products such as bananas, lychees, macadamias, papayas and sugar, both normal and organic: ‘Lychees, for example, have recently started to be exported in large quantities, and it is hoped that with ExportaMoz, this production will intensify.’
The provincial director also discussed the impact of the recent demonstrations in Maputo. According to him, the export sector was affected, but the disruptions were temporary and the flow of exports is already gradually resuming.
‘In terms of export capacity, we haven’t stopped exporting. Although there have been some delays on the farms where we produce, Maputo continues to fulfil its functions as an exporter,’ he said, adding that “the province exports an overall volume of approximately four million tonnes a year”.
ExportaMoz Solutions, Lda. is a Mozambican private company with its own legal and administrative personality, based in Maputo. It is a collaborative joint venture between SBS, SupriMoz and CCI, three national companies that aim to offer comprehensive solutions for micro, small and medium-sized exporters, as well as for potential exporters in the country.
Text: Germano Ndlovo
