The governments of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana on Friday initialled a memorandum of understanding on the implementation of the tripartite project to develop a deep water port at Techobanine, in Mozambique’s southernmost district of Matutuine.The project to develop the port and build a rail link to Botswana and Zimbabwe would cost an estimated seven billion US dollars. It would take ten years after work begins, which could be perhaps as early as next year.The memorandum was signed by Mozambican Transport Minister Paulo Zucula and his counterparts from Zimbabwe (Nicholas Goche) and Botswana (Frank Ramsden).Speaking to journalists after the signing of the accord, Zucula said that the private sector has already guaranteed access to the necessary finance, and was just waiting for the formal commitment to be given by the three nations.Zucula pointed out that the feasibility study has been completed and stated that he was certain that work would begin next year.The minister said that the Techobanine project comes at a time when there is a regional boom in the extractive industries, with large discoveries being prepared for exploitation.“The transport and communications sector plays an important and determinant role, since the viability of exploiting these resources depends on our capacity to bring them to market”, pointed out the minister.He believed that this project will also reduce the significant deficit in the region's transport infrastructure, which is one of the main factors in the high cost of consumer products.Meanwhile, the Botswanan Minister of Transport and Communications, Frank Ramsden, said that an efficient transport system will guarantee conditions for rapid economic growth.After acknowledging that the project will boost the Botswanan mining sector, Ramsden stressed that “we need economic freedom, not just political freedom”.For Zimbabwean minister Nicholas Goche, the project will bring many gains for his country and Botswana”.
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