Mozambique’s FACIM: A showcase of potentialities

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique’s FACIM: A showcase of potentialities

12:56 CAT | 29 Aug 2018

Photo: Miramar

The 54th edition of the Maputo International Fair (FACIM) is seen as a platform for reinforcing the government’s commitment to agriculture. The search for innovative solutions and external experiences in the development of the agricultural chain are some of the factors to explore.

The number of companies exhibiting at the 54th edition of FACIM exceeded expectations. The Agency for the Promotion of Investment and Exports (APIEX) enrolled 1,500 firms, but the register indicates some 2,200 combined domestic and foreign companies. A total of 2,048 firms participated in last year’s edition.

In the opinion of Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosário, this increase is a clear sign that the Maputo International Fair has become a reference point for exhibitors from various parts of the world, the debut of countries like Austria and Argentina highlighting this.

“We encourage exhibitors and participants at this fair to capitalise on existing business opportunities, particularly in agriculture, tourism, energy and infrastructure, turning them into concrete commitments and business transactions between the country and the rest of the world,” the prime minister said.

The increase in agricultural production, for example, was being reflected in the reduction of the general price level, particularly for food, as well as in the gradual reduction of the volume of food imports, he added.

In the first half of 2018, exports of goods totalled US$2.5 billion, a 42 percent increase when compared to the same period of last year. Sales abroad of so-called traditional products grew by 76.1 percent, influenced in large part by the increase in exports of sawn wood, sugar, bananas, cashew nuts and shrimp.

Exports from large-scale projects also grew by 32.9 percent, mainly reflecting higher export revenues from coal, aluminium and heavy sands.

The prime minister said that, in face of these gains, stakeholders should consolidate these economic developments with greater engagement in increasing production and productivity in different sectors of the economy.

“We will continue to devote special attention to the small and medium enterprises segment continuing to increase exports, and promote their growth and greater access to markets,” Do Rosario said.

Agriculture as showroom

The agricultural sector in the 54th edition of FACIM exhibits an area with strong potential for the country.

Impressed by what he saw in the Mozambique Pavilion, the Prime Minister pointed out that investment should be made in access roads to facilitate the transport of agricultural production from the production centres to the processing plants and markets.

In addition, the government says it is mobilising financial resources and favourable conditions for the involvement of financial institutions in order to promote the agrarian marketing process in the country.

By way of example, a credit guarantee fund provided by the National Investment Bank will facilitate access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in agricultural and subsector production, processing and marketing chains.

By Edson Arante