Mozambican government wants ‘strategic partnership’ with Japan

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Mozambican government wants ‘strategic partnership’ with Japan

6:31 CAT | 03 May 2023

Mozambique's Economy and Finance Minister Max Tonela (L) flanked by Japan's State Minister for Foreigner Affairs Kenji Yamada (C) and by Mozambique's Minister of Transport and Communications Mateus Magala (R), pose during an event on trade and investment promotion in Mozambique, in a visit that precedes the arrival of Japan's Prime Minister, in Maputo, Mozambique, 03 Maye 2023. [Photo: Luisa Nhantumbo/Lusa]

The Government of Mozambique today expressed its desire to have Japan as a “strategic partner” in economic, business and commercial cooperation, making the most of investment opportunities in the African country and the high technological development of the Asian nation.

The authorities of both countries expressed the desire for “deepening cooperation”, during a forum between Mozambican leaders and a Japanese business mission, headed by the Japanese , State Minister for Foreign Affairs,, Kenji Yamada.

“Japanese businessmen know a lot about the investment opportunities that Mozambique offers, we are a country that sees Japan as a long-term strategic partner,” said the Mozambican Minister of Economy and Finance, Max Tonela.

Minister Tonela added that “Japan’s high technological development and the numerous investment opportunities available” in the African country open up wide possibilities for intensifying bilateral economic and trade ties.

“Our priority is to make a bet on the private sector to allow the untapped potential that our country presents to be used in a sustainable way”, the minister stressed.

Japan, continued Max Tonela, has the opportunity to promote investments in natural gas, industry, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure in Mozambique, as a way of diversifying its presence in the African country, in business and commercial terms.

For his part, the Mozambican Minister of Transport and Communications, Mateus Magala, invited Japanese businesspeople to join the Mozambican authorities in their commitment to urban mobility solutions, domestic maritime transport (cabotage) and natural resources.

Highlighting Japan’s commitment to the development of less polluting undertakings in the energy sector, Magala pointed to Maputo’s commitment to graphite exploration for the production of batteries used in electric cars, as an area with great potential for Japanese investment.

The Japanese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs highlighted the willingness of companies in his country to invest in Mozambique, namely in the energy resources sector.

“Mozambique is a beautiful country full of opportunities, with gas reserves that are among the largest in Africa”, stressed Kenji Yamada.

Mozambique’s geographic location, which allows access to the sea and is a transit point for regional trade, also makes the country attractive for foreign investment, he continued.

Today’s meeting between Mozambican government officials and Japanese businessmen is part of a visit that the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, is making to Maputo on Thursday, where he will meet with the Mozambican President, Filipe Nyusi.