Beluluane Industrial Park participated in the 3rd MOZINDUS Webinar which was presented by the Industrial Association of Mozambique (AIMO) on Thursday 3 September 2020. The panel discussion was moderated by Jaime Comiche (UNIDO) also featuring Denise Amad (APIEX), Gareth Clifton (Kenmare Mozambique), Geraldo Albasine (INNOQ).
Onόrio Manuel (General Director of Beluluane Industrial Park spoke about industrial restructuring, innovation, business interconnectedness and infrastructure to emphasise the importance of these in terms of competitiveness challenges. He said that infrastructure and energy supply is fundamental to the development of industry and that challenges relating quantity, quality and especially the price of energy had to be addressed.
Manuel also commented on the fact that the country needs more small and medium-sized companies that are competitive and called for initiatived to establish and properly develop more SMEs that could support existing large projects.
The webinar was broadcasted on STV News, STV Play, ZOOM and on the AIMO Linkedin platform. It formed part of a series leading up to the MOZINDUS Mozambique Industrial Forum and Exhibition which will take place later this year.
During a recent visit to Beluluane Industrial Park (BIP), Minister of Industry and Commerce Carlos Mesquita said that government is committed to the ongoing development of the park and inclusion of more investors, specifically local companies. He named BIP an example for future industrial developments elsewhere in Mozambique.
Mesquita praised BIP management for its remarkable growth and development, specifically in terms of its infrastructure and skills development. BIP General Manager, Onório Manuel commented that the park will become a power generator through the LNG and solar energy projects in the next couple of years. This involves the construction of a US $2.8bn gas power plant which will generate 2000 megawatts of electricity. The project is expected to be completed over 5 years.
Further to the jobs created by the power project, Manuel said that they intend to grow the industrial park to accommodate 400 companies overall, creating more than 50 000 jobs. The park currently employs 6000 people and has seen a total investment of US $3 billion by investors.
Minister Mesquita further emphasised the importance of local production of raw materials in adding value to the local economy and reducing imports. This is in line with government’s focus on industrialisation as a means to boosting and growing the Mozambican economy. The minister also mentioned the creation of two more industrial parks in Nacala and Beira. He said that the experience of Beluluane Industrial Park is valuable and would form a blueprint to set the benchmark for these developing parks.
He furthermore encouraged Beluluane Industrial Park to continue to strengthen the linkage programmes. Minister Mesquita emphasised the importance between large enterprises and local suppliers to form a channel for the transfer of technology, knowledge and skills, especially in terms of supporting the growth of local SMEs. He priased them for the work done with the Beluluane JOBA Internship Programme and encouraged them to continue creating opportunities for young people to gain experience and secure full-time employment. The internship programme has seen 500 young people successfully enter the work place since its inception in 2018.
The delegation included senior members Mr Sidónio dos Santos (National Director of Industry and Commerce), Ernesto Mafumo (Head of Industrial and Trade Services in Maputo Province) and Mr Lourenço Sambo (General Director of APIEX).
Minister of Industry and Commerce Carlos Mesquita visited BIP to address its future growth opportunities and to also understand the business constraints park companies are currently facing.
Park General Manager Onório Manuel explained one of the park’s future development plans to become a power generator through the LNG and solar energy projects.
The Minister of Industry and Commerce visited 9 of the 40 companies based in the park.
Minister Mesquita and Managing Director of Dendustri, Manuel de Morais.
