100 MILLION DOLLARS FOR MOZAMBIQUE

The British government on Wednesday guaranteed aid equivalent to 100 million US dollars, to be applied, among other areas, to projects linked to good governance and the structuring of the state. Britain’s Minister for Africa, James Duddridge, announced the aid shortly after a meeting in Maputo with Mozambican Foreign Minister Oldemiro Baloi.     Duddridge was on a two day visit to Mozambique.This was the first foreign trip for the Minister since he was reappointed following the Conservative Party victory in the 7 May general election.The focus of his visit was to highlight the UK/Mozambique High Level Prosperity Partnership, which aims to strengthen economic cooperation based on shared priorities in specific sectors. His first stop was a trip to the brewery of Cervejas de Mocambique (CDM) which produces the country’s most popular beers. It is owned by SAB Miller, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Duddridge also held meetings with other British business figures operating in Mozambique.According to the British Foreign Office, the Minister used his visit to express the UK Government’s commitment to “help the country create a more open and freer business environment, growth and jobs” and to reiterate Britain’s “continued support to Mozambique in its agenda of promoting peace and reconciliation, especially as the country marks its 40 years of independence”.

Duddridge said that, during his meeting with Baloi, he “emphasised the importance of political stability and inclusiveness to Mozambique’s continued growth and development”. He also took the opportunity to invite Baloi to visit Britain. At the end of his visit Duddridge said “I was delighted to make Mozambique my first overseas visit since my reappointment as Minister for Africa. This is a young and vibrant country with an incredibly bright future. Mozambique’s dynamism and potential is the reason it was chosen as one of the UK’s five High Level Prosperity Partners in Africa”. He added, “I’m keen to encourage more British businesses to invest in Mozambique and we will be working closely with the Government of Mozambique to create the free and open business environment to make that possible. I’m proud that the UK and Mozambique have such an enduring relationship and look forward to it going from strength to strength in the future”.