Prime Minister challenges APIEX chairman to increase investments

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Prime Minister challenges APIEX chairman to increase investments

12:02 CAT | 03 Jul 2017

O País / Prime minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosário

The new director-general of the Agency for the Promotion of Investment and Exports (APIEX), Lourenço Sambo was challenged by Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosário in Maputo on Friday to increase the volume of foreign investment and increase and diversify Mozambique’s exports.

Agostinho do Rosario was speaking at the inauguration of Sambo, the new man at the helm of APIEX, an institution created by the government in November 2016 with the aim of facilitating and streamlining the business environment, as well as creating greater synergies for the promotion of foreign investment and trade.

The institution comes from the merger of three institutions – the Investment Promotion Center (CPI), the Office of Economic Zones for Accelerated Development (GAZEDA) and the Institute for the Promotion of Exports (IPEX).

Addressing the newly sworn-in director, the prime minister stressed the importance of a rigorous and transparent management of financial and material resources, as well as the motivation of the institution’s human capital.

“When taking office, we also recommend that, in the exercise of your new functions, you prioritise teamwork and respect for institutional ethics,” Do Rosario, quoted by the Mozambican Information Agency (AIM), said.

The prime minister said that in fulfilling his new duties, Sambo should establish a reference centre for information on investments and foreign trade, and highlighted the importance of promoting public-private partnerships as a way to support inclusive economic development in the country, citing the Maputo International Fair as one of the best tools for promoting business opportunities in Mozambique.

Speaking to the press after the event, Sambo identified as challenges the human resources framework and the continuous promotion of investment in the country, was well as the creation of a development agency.

He said that the merger of the three institutions made it possible to reduce the total number of employees from 170 to 45. “We have to create a development agency. The big challenge is to move from services to a productive economy, maintain employment and increase exports,” he said.

Sambo holds a degree in economics and agricultural business management. Prior to his appointment he was director-general of the Investment Promotion Centre.

Source: O País