Mozambique has been experiencing an increase in exports, reaching about US$5.1 billion in 2018. As far as external trade in concerned, the Maputo International Fair (FACIM) is one of the best vehicles for promoting the export of national products.
So said President of the Republic Filipe Nyusi during the opening of the 55th edition of FACIM 2019, which is guided by the motto “Mozambique and the world: expanding the market, promoting investment and fostering partnerships”.
On that occasion, the head of state pointed out that the country had registered a growth of national industrial parks in the last five years, with about 1,542 factories in the food and beverage, agro-processing, building materials, packaging and metallurgical sectors.
Of these, the manufacturing industry stands out for having generated about 42,054 new jobs over the past five years, according to figures advanced by the president.
In the president’s opinion, FACIM was a good opportunity to exchange contacts, experience, form partnerships and develop business.
President Nyusi remarked that the exhibition of goods and services by geographic regions and public institutions and companies, size of enterprise and even by thematic grouping, showed how the organisation of the event had evolved. He stressed that all of these developments, from the national to the international economic community aspects, were unquestionable testimony to the evolution and achievements of this 55-year-old trade fair.
Regarding the motto chosen for this year – “Mozambique and the world: widening the market, promoting investment and fostering partnerships” – the president stressed that it faithfully reflects one of his government’s guidelines for solving the structural problems of the economy.
“The motto inspires us to consolidate our economic diplomacy, through which we have been able to attract substantial investment over this five-year period in which we did count on the support of our state budget partners,” he said.
In another development, Filipe Nyusi said that he was aware of Mozambique’s existing natural wealth and its value, and advocated its exploitation in a way that contributed to a sustainable increase in production and productivity, as well as to the growth of the national economy and the improvement of the quality of life of all Mozambicans.
Nyusi stressed that the business sector, through its resilience and ability to overcome obstacles, had amply demonstrated its willingness, and the government, in turn, had been working to facilitate private sector activity. He said that he had also been mobilising resources to secure investments and create a fertile environment for their growth.
President Nyusi urged all Mozambicans to work towards the production, consumption and export of Mozambican products, creating greater robustness in national companies, and urging those which had excelled in exporting their goods and services in 2018 to continue their efforts and expand even more.
-Savana