Lopatka: „Mozambique is booming - great opportunities for Austria's economy" / State Secretary sees new perspectives for closer cooperation with the ADC focus nation
VIENNA, Austria, February 25, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- “Mozambique is a future market for Austrian companies in Africa”, State Secretary Reinhold Lopatka stated in his speech at the Mozambique Trade and Investment Forum of the Austrian Foreign Trade Office. An economic delegation headed by the Mozambique Minister of Industry and Trade Armando Inroga met with representatives of numerous Austrian companies at the Austrian Economic Chamber to discuss opportunities for joint projects.
“The Forum aims at motivating Austrian companies to make additional investments in Mozambique, which is one of the up-and-coming African nations. The trade figures are developing in a highly positive direction but there is still a great potential to be explored. Austrian expertise in the areas of railway construction, hydropower, mining, infrastructure and in the service industry is highly sought after”, said the State Secretary.
“Over the last five years, we have invested more than 35 million Euros in bilateral development cooperation (ADC) with Mozambique, one of the focus nations of Austrian Development Cooperation. These funds have made an essential contribution to promoting the development of disadvantaged regions in rural areas”, emphasised Lopatka. “Our partnership with Mozambique goes back many years and together we have achieved a lot. Now it is time to make a concentrated effort to expand our trade relations”, said the State Secretary.
In the recent past, Mozambique has had growth rates of 7% and more. Political stability and the rapid economic development in the country are positive indicators for foreign investors: “In addition, Mozambique also fulfils the criteria for Soft Loan projects. In this context, a project carried out by Waagner-Biro that entails the construction of 5 bridges, with a total project volume o 5 million Euros, is already being implemented in the provinces of Sofala and Manica. Additional projects in the field of medical infrastructure are already in the pipeline”, Lopatka concluded.
The State Secretary announced that the initiative on strengthening the economic relations with African nations would be continued. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of African Unity, the Foreign Ministry and the Austrian Economic Chamber are planning further talks with African representatives during May and June.