International Investments, Transparency and Business Opportunities in Mozambique

Another BRICS Country?

After last year’s big success in Luanda, Angola, the UIA is organizing a second seminar in a Portuguese-speaking country in Africa: Maputo, Mozambique.

The world is now divided into different blocs, notably the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries and the PIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain) countries.

At a time when Mozambique is catching the attention of the international investor community, the country is making the headlines due to the recent natural gas discoveries. Why Mozambique? Can Mozambique be another BRICS Country?

Following the end of its civil war, Mozambique has enjoyed political stability and continuing economic reforms that have led its economy to a high growth rate. Economic data indicates that between 1994 and 2006, Mozambique’s average annual GDP growth was around 8%. From 2008 to 2010, GDP growth rates were around 6% and some forecasts say that GDP growth in 2011 and 2012 will be around 7.5%.

According to the 2012 World Bank Report on "Doing Business" (DB 2012), Mozambique is ranked 139 in a DB index of 183 regarding the ease of doing business (ranked in 132 in DB 2011).

Mozambique’s economy has been driven by foreign direct investment (FDI) but the country could be even friendlier in order to attract more FDI. Also, Mozambique needs much in terms of infrastructure projects, increase of agriculture production and education of its population.

This UIA seminar is devoted to International Investment, Transparency and Business Opportunities in Mozambique. The seminar will address several important issues for potential foreign investors in the country.

We look forward to seeing a large number of colleagues in Maputo!