Maputo — Mozambique's minister of Science and Technology, Venancio Massingue, on Friday inaugurated a liquid nitrogen station at the aluminium terminal, owned by the MOZAL aluminium smelter, in the port of Matola.

MOZAL has announced that it will provide liquid nitrogen free of charge to duly accredited research institutions. Liquid nitrogen is used in equipment in the chemistry department of the country's largest university, the Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM).

It is vital for low temperature conservation - including the conservation of semen for medical and veterinary purposes.

Speaking at the ceremony, Massingue said the initiative arises from a partnership between MOZAL and the company Mogas, and will lead to a new dynamic in developing and sharing resources between private businesses and research bodies.

In Mozambique, scientific research is mostly undertaken in the public sector, he said, but lack of resources has hampered its impact.

"The structural changes we are now making in the research sector are based on our desire to establish, in the medium term, a system resting on solid pillars and recognising that research is important for development, including in the business field", added Massingue.

Several institutions require liquid nitrogen, he said, but previously the costs of importing this chemical limited the amounts they could use.

Massingue urged other businesses to follow MOZAL's example and support research institutions. "Research produces knowledge and technical inventions which nourish economic production and capital accumulation", he pointed out.