6 THE JAPAN TIMES SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2011

Mozambique national day / world

Growing sectors seek Japanese investment IN BRIEF

Two charged in Seatt

Belmiro José Malate

As Mozambicans celebrate the36th anniversary of independence, I would like to convey
my best wishes
to Their Imperial Majesties
theEmperor
AkihitoandE m p r e s sMichiko,thegovernment
and the peopleof Japan during this very difficult period after the Great East
Japan Earthquake of March 11.
We share the sadness and sorrow with all those who suffereddirectly from the tragedy.
In fact, when the catastrophestruck Japan on March 11, thePresident of the Republic of Mozambique Armando Emílio
Guebuza immediately wrote toPrime Minister Naoto Kan conveying his deepest condolences
to the government of Japan andthose families who lost their beloved ones and he also wished aquick recovery to those who
were devastated by the tragedy.
This gesture is the result of theprofound respect and admiration that we have for the Japanese people.
We have been impressed by
the resilience and the spirit ofmutual assistance shown by theJapanese people in the face of
this catastrophe. I firmly believethat the Japanese people will
prevail and overcome the consequences of this natural disaster. Recently, I visited the Tohoku area and witnessed theWashington AFP-JIJI

ore and many others. Theseagain open opportunities forJapanese companies to invest inMozambique.

AMBASSADOR OF MOZAMBIQUE

Two U.S. men were charged Thursday w
Seattle military center with machine gu
hopes of killing more people than a singdeadly 2009 attack at Fort Hood, Texas.
Their aim was to inspire other Muslim
attacks and one was allegedly caught on
fearful America will be, and they’ll knowMuslims around.”The men, who are reportedly converts
machine guns and grenades in order to kpossible in a military processing center tfacility. They were caught because a per
join them contacted police to report thewith an FBI sting.
The charges were announced just horeservist arrested near the Pentagon wit
was charged in five late-night shootings
caused $100,000 in damage.

Cooperation with Japan

Strengthening ties: Minister of Energy of Mozambique Salvador Namburete (center) speaks at aJapan Economic Foundation round-table discussion on Feb. 16 in Tokyo. EMBASSY OF MOZAMBIQUEgreat efforts that are being madeby the people in order to rebuild
their lives and I am honored forthe fact that I could take an active part in the process of rebuilding this area.
For the Mozambican community residing in Japan, I
would like to extend my warmest greetings and best wishes for
a commemorative celebration.

Economic growth

The economy of Mozambiqueregistered an average growth of
6.5 percent despite the difficultinternational
environment,
which was characterized byeconomic recession and thesurge in the price of commodities including food items. The
continuous growth of the country is attributed to the good
macroeconomic policies adopted by the government, good
performance of key sectors ofResource provider: An 865-km-long gas pipeline from Temaneand Pande fields (above) supplies gas from Mozambique toSouth Africa. EMBASSY OF MOZAMBIQUE

the economy and the decision of
the government to invest heavily in infrastructure.
All these are indications ofpositive developments made by
the government and the peopleof Mozambique in their efforts
to eradicate poverty and improve the standards of living ofMozambicans. This trend of development is coupled by the
consolidation of national unity,peace, democracy and goodgovernance. With the continuous support of our development
partners, including the valuable
contribution of Japan, we will beable to overcome the challenges
and continue with our progress.

Mining: a promising sector

Up to now the mining sector
represented only 5 percent ofgross domestic product (GDP).
This situation is dramaticallychanging and it is hoped that in
the next five years the sector
will represent 12 percent ofGDP. This is attributed to theincrease of investments in themining sector, particularly coaland natural gas.
With the confirmation of theexistence of considerable reserves of high-quality cooking
coal in Moatize, Tete Province,
and the investments so far
made in the sector, the exportsof coal will grow from 500,000
tons a year to 10 million tons ayear in the near future. Judging
from the number of new players
in the field who are developing
projects in the area, the production of coal will further increase
to respond to the high demandof this commodity in the international markets, in particularin the emerging economies ofChina, India and Brazil. Vale do
Rio Doce, a company owning
one of the coal exploration licenses, is planning to use thelow-quality coal to produce diesel, an important development
to help Mozambique reduce theheavy burden of importing petroleum products.
The discovery of large reserves of natural gas, initiallyestimated at 481 billion cu. meters in the Rovuma basin, by
Anadarko Petroleum, a Texasbased company, adding to thealready existing reserves in
Pande and Temane, has put Mozambique on the map of producers of energy resources. Thecompany is planning to build anatural gas factory by 2018 andthat will make Mozambique oneof the global suppliers of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). At thesame time, the discoveries haveencouraged many global and local players in the field to invest
more into the prospecting of
natural gas and oil. These prospects are indeed welcome since
they will contribute significantly to generate resources that areneeded to eradicate poverty inthe country.
On the other side it opens
new avenues for business interaction between Mozambiqueand Japan. In fact, many Japanese companies, like Nippon
Steel Corp. and Mitsui & Co.,are already investing in somemining projects. Also, Mozambique may become one of thesuppliers of LPG to Japan.
The development of the mining sector in Mozambique includes other strategic resources,
like the development of rareearths, rare metals, gold, ironMozambique and Japan havebeen enjoying very good relations of friendship and cooperation over a long period of time.
The two countries have been
partners since 1977, when diplomatic relations between the twocountries were established.
Since then Japan has provided
multifaceted official development assistance (ODA) to Mozambique and has contributed
to the development of social andeconomic infrastructure in areas like education, health, roads
and water.
Japan is also a very importantpartner in the efforts of Mozambique to attain food security. In
this context three important
projects are currently underimplementation. The first one isbeing implemented in the Chokwe District, Gaza Province, under the Coalition for African
Rice Development (CARD) initiative with the aim to improve
productivity in rice production.
The other, also with the objective to increase the production
and productivity of rice, is going
to be implemented in Nante,
Zambezia Province, in a triangular cooperation model involving Mozambique, Japan andVietnam. The third one, a triangular project as well, is being
developed along the Nacala Corridor in the northern part of Mozambique in a partnershipamong Mozambique, Japan andBrazil. This is a very important
program because it will significantly increase the productionof food crops in that region first,
for domestic consumption, helping in that manner to mitigate
the current surge of food prices
in the international market.
The exchange of high-level
delegations has been a very important mechanism to promotedialogue and to foster the cooperation that we have built
under the umbrella of TICAD
IV. It was within this context
that, during the first quarter ofthis year, the Minister of Energy of Mozambique Salvador
Namburete visited Japan at theinvitation of the Japan Economic Foundation. In addition,
high- level delegations from theJapan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also paid
visits to Mozambique during
the same period.
During the visit of the Minister of Energy Namburete to Tokyo, important projects andprograms were presented in theenergy field. Furthermore, thecommitment of the governmentof Mozambique to the development of new sources of energy— biofuels, photovoltaic solarenergy systems, wind and others — to complement the traditional resources, such as gasand oil, were presented and discussed. One of the major projects outlined by the minister,

Official logo: The 10th All
Africa Games is scheduled totake place in Mozambique’s
capital Maputo from Sept. 3
to 18. EMBASSY OF MOZAMBIQUE

and valued at $2 billion, is theenvisaged construction of theelectricity transmission linefrom Tete to Maputo, known as
the north-south backbone. Thismajor project is expected to beformally launched in August
this year and provides an opportunity for public and private
partnership in its development.
We are greatly encouraged by
the fact that cooperation between the countries in the business sector is also gaining momentum. Currently, Japanese
corporations, namely Hitachi,
Mitsubishi, Mitsui and Sojitz, areinvesting in different projects inthe country as compared to only
one company in the recent past.
This is a good testimony to theimprovement of the environment to do business in Mozambique and an example of successof the introduction of the economic pillar in the TICAD IV
process, designed to boost economic growth in Africa.

2011 All Africa Games

This year we are hosting the10th All Africa Games in Maputo, from Sept. 3 to 18. This is amajor continental event thatwill feature 23 sports. Thegames are expected to be attended by 5,000 athletes and officials from all African nations.
The conditions have alreadybeen set to receive the athletes
and tourists that will travel toMozambique during that period. We are honored to host thisspecial event and we will makesure that each and every visitor
will have a memorable experience during this period. It is ourhope that Japanese who follow
African sports will seize this opportunity to visit Mozambique
to join this fiesta of African
youth and visit the tourist attractions that Mozambique offers.
To conclude my message, I
would like to express my profound gratitude to The Japan
Times for granting me this valuable opportunity to address andgreet its esteemed readers on
this special occasion.

Rebels may let Gadha
Paris AFP-JIJI

Libya’s rebel movement is in indirect con
Moammar Gadhafi’s regime and may beon in his homeland in a remote location,
But Mahmud Shammam, a spokesm
Transitional Council, told the French daand his family must agree to leave powepostrevolutionary government.
“Yes, contacts are under way by way
negotiations are never direct. They som
Africa, sometimes in Paris, where Gadhtalk to us,” he said.
“Our conditions remain the same. It i
Gadhafi or members of his family take p
We are discussing with them the mecha
departure,” he said.

Palestinians bend on
Ramallah West Bank AP

The Palestinians are ready to ease theirIsraeli settlement construction to get pe
top official said Thursday.
The softened position reflects the Pal
realization that their alternative strategi
with the Hamas militant group and seekat the United Nations — are both in trou
The official, who spoke on condition
was discussing a sensitive diplomatic prwill ease the demand for a full construcpeace talks if Israel accepts U.S. Preside
to base negotiations on a broad Israeli w
captured in the 1967 Mideast War.
The Palestinians have been demandi
construction — which will go further th
resuming negotiations. Any move to dro
demand could put greater pressure on I— perhaps by accepting Obama’s formu

Baghdad bomb attac
Baghdad AP

Four bombs ripped through Shiite neighThursday evening, killing at least 40 peo
the capital has seen in months, Iraqi off
civilian aid specialist working to improv
killed in a separate attack.
The violence underscored the fragile
in Iraq at a time when American forcesby the end of this year and the challeng
Department personnel and American ccontinue on after the U.S. military is gon
The first three bombs went off in quic
southwestern Baghdad neighborhood stargeted a Shiite mosque, another explomarket, while the third went off inside twere doing their evening shopping ahea
Iraqi police officials said.

Wade backs down afte
Dakar AP

Amid massive street protests that marke
Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade’s 11
derail a country known as one of the mWest African leader agreed Thursday toto the constitution which would have patake power.
Anger boiled over Thursday morning
attempted to rush the gates of Parliame
meeting to debate the law.
The controversial amendment wouldpresident, a departure from Senegal’s Eu
which has a president and a prime ministhat the position was being created so th
unpopular son.

Reggae’s Banton jailed
Tampa Florida AP
Capital: Known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Maputo is thelargest city in Mozambique, with the economy centered aroundthe port. EMBASSY OF MOZAMBIQUE

A federal judge sentenced Grammy-win
Banton to 10 years in prison Thursday,allowed for his role in a large cocaine tr
The 38-year-old Jamaican recording aDistrict Judge James S. Moody threw ou
would have added another five years toBanton’s attorney, David Markus, said w
good behavior, he could be out in six ye
Jamaican disc jockey Bunny Goodiso
singer, who has long been a top star in hreggae-rap hybrid of dance hall music a
reggae sound, was “the best at what he“The loss of Buju for 10 years will beindustry,” Goodison said in Jamaica’s caof his music and the message of his son
the essence of being black, was unparal

Egypt court sentence
Cairo APA state security court Thursday sentence
to 25 years in prison for spying for Israel,
The sentencing of Tareq Hassan, whofirm, followed last week’s arrest in Cairo
national for allegedly spying for Israel. I
suspicion of sedition and inciting Egypt
country’s military leadership.