SWEDISH SUPPORT FOR MOZAMBICAN RESEARCH

The Mozambican and Swedish governments on Friday launched in Maputo a project to strengthen Mozambique’s National Research System, budgeted at seven million US dollars to finance activities over a five year period.The project, launched by the Minister of Science and Technology, Venancio Massingue, and Swedish Ambassador Torvald Akesson, covers scientific research, innovation, the development of human resources and the popularization of science and technology. Massingue said that the project, to be implemented between 2010 and 2014, will help maximize the contribution made by science, technology and innovation to Mozambique’s economic growth and development.“Through this programme, we hope to see more dynamic partnerships among the research institutions, and between them and the productive sector, resulting in the generation of products and solutions that can have a positive impact on people’s lives”, he added.For Massingue, implementation of this programme is “a very important step” in transforming science and technology into a productive force with an increasing impact on the economy, and on improving the lives of Mozambicans.The development of human resources that the project envisages, he continued, is an important condition for science and technology to contribute effectively towards the eradication of poverty.”The government believes it is necessary to consolidate the system of scientific research and technological development. For that we need capable staff”, said Massingue. “We are pleased because the number of scientists is rising, and the challenge posed is to make the resources available so that these scientists can work”. Facilitating the work of the scientists, he stressed, involved renovating and equipping the existing laboratories, and setting up new ones, bearing in mind that new research institutions are being created.Akesson said that “Sweden’s position is that developing countries should have the capacity and resources to undertake their own research. Sweden thinks this is vital so that Mozambique can produce its own specific research and acquire, transform and apply the knowledge and technology developed internationally”.