South African businesspeople who participated in the Trade and Investment mission to Mozambique have expressed satisfaction with the mission and are optimistic of tangible results in the near future.

The group participated in a week-long Trade and Investment mission to Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province and Maputo organised by the Department or Trade and Industry (the dti), that took place from 26-30 November 2018.

The mission consisted of trade and investment seminars, business-to-business meetings and site visits lo Pemba Port, Oil and Gas Logistics Base, Bollore Logistics, Beluluane Industrial Park, Airport of Mozambique Murray and Roberts amongst others.

The Project Coordinator of Nyamezela Metering, Ms Hazel Kahari says she had fruitful meetings with key decisions-makers that her company will be following up on. She says she will be going back to Mozambique in early 2019 to get more understanding of the roll-out or the energy project to improve the current 28% electricity coverage lo 38% in 2020 and 100% in 2030 which is an enormous opportunity for them as a metering company.

“The Government has laid the foundation for businesses and now the onus is on the private sector to lake the initiative and take advantage of the opportunities· presented. We have got to lake further trips to Mozambique. It will be easy that we now know who to contact and where to go,· said the Chief Executive Officer of Steel Tube Export Association of South Africa, Mr Keitumetse Moumakoe.

He added it was important to note that partnerships are important to address the skills deficiency that is facing various industries. South African companies can transfer these skills through these partnerships and help upscale local companies in Mozambique.
“I am satisfied with the reception and support we received from the Mozambican private and public sectors. The mission received overwhelming response during the business seminars, business-to-business meetings and site visits from the Mozambican side,” uttered the South African High Commissioner to Mozambique, Mr Mandisi Mpahlwa.

He added that this demonstrated the enthusiasm from both sides towards building partnerships and trade relations. Mpahlwa reiterated the support of the High Commission to the private sector and urged them to utilise the offices when intending or doing business outside South Africa, he further urged them to continue discussions and follow-up on leads acquire, for business transactions to be realised