Maputo, July 24, 2026 (Lusa) - The Mozambican Government on Friday called on local business leaders to take a more active role in economic cooperation with China, advocating for greater national involvement in investment and the industrialisation of the economy.
«We want to play an active part in business. What we expect from Mozambicans, from our companies, is that they do not simply wait to create facilities for investors, but that they become part of the investment themselves. And that is what will transform our economy, step by step,» said the Minister for Transport and Logistics, João Matlombe.
The minister was speaking in Maputo at the opening of the 17th Business Leaders' Meeting on Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese Language Countries, arguing that the Mozambican economy is unlikely to transform itself whilst local companies remain sidelined from major investments.
«We want entrepreneurs who can make their mark, who contribute to the balance of payments, create jobs and make a difference. Obviously, there are resources that will be exploited,» he emphasised.
The minister highlighted that the country is going through «a decisive phase» of economic transformation, pointing to reforms aimed at creating a «more resilient, inclusive and competitive» economy.
According to Matlombe, the Government is committed to «accelerating the country's industrialisation, modernising the national productive base and promoting the creation of added value» using the available resources.
«We want to move away from being predominantly exporters of raw materials and establish ourselves as an economy capable of processing resources, generating skilled employment, driving innovation and strengthening the competitiveness of Mozambican products in regional and international markets,» he said.
He urged business leaders to draw on China's experience in the process of industrialisation and job creation, arguing that Mozambique should follow a similar path to reduce poverty.
«We are confident that this business forum will yield positive results and that the various issues to be discussed here will lead to strong partnerships that will result in factories and businesses, contributing to the shared progress of our peoples,» he concluded.
According to the Minister, economic cooperation between the two countries offers an opportunity to expand trade to a volume of $5.19 billion (€4.56 billion), reaching around $300 million (€263.6 million) per year, which, he said, would make China the «largest and undisputed» economic and trading partner for investment in Mozambique.
Meanwhile, the Ambassador of China to Mozambique, Zheng Xuan, pledged his Government's support for objectives promoting the development of Portuguese Language Countries, adding that Macau stands out as a key link for Chinese investment in these states.
The event is organised by the Agency for the Promotion of Investment and Exports (APIEX, IP), in collaboration with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the Macau Institute for the Promotion of Trade and Investment (IPIM), under the theme «Investment in Logistics Infrastructure as a Driver of Development».
The event brings together business delegations from China and the Portuguese Language Countries, with the aim of promoting economic and trade relations, identifying trade and investment opportunities, and discussing strategies to strengthen cooperation in sectors considered strategic, including infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, tourism and industry.
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