21 November 2006
Maputo — The Finnish-based mobile phone company Nokia on Tuesday announced the opening of an office in Maputo, to service the entire southern African region, except South Africa itself.
At a Maputo press conference, the Nokia senior Vice- President for operations in Africa and the Middle East, Timo Toikkanen, declared "This market provides a unique opportunity to any company wanting to establish itself in this increasingly competitive and dynamic continent".
"The company recognises the incredible growth potential in Africa", he added, "and having people on the ground is essential if we are to continue the leading market position that our brand currently enjoys".
Toikkanen said Nokia is committed to listening to its clients and to providing products and services in line with their needs.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Venancio Massingue, in a speech read on his behalf by ministry official Sarifa Fagilde, stressed the role of information and communication technologies in combatting poverty.
"In putting into effect its national development strategy based on knowledge, technology and innovation", he said, "the government is promoting partnerships with the private sector and with civil society. The government has been approaching a variety of partners who can stimulate the industrialisation of information and communications technologies".
Massingue hoped that Nokia "will not only sell its services, but above all will train Mozambicans so that in the medium to long term we can witness a growth in mastery of information and communications technologies".
He urged the company to provide practical apprenticeships for young Mozambican graduates.
Massingue said the government wants Mozambican citizens "to enjoy increasing access to better quality and lower cost telecommunications.
"Through new telephone technologies, and here Nokia is a reference point, Mozambicans can have access to a range of information useful in solving the practical problems of their daily lives", added the minister.
He believed that Nokia would bring "added value" to the country, "but for this to happen, the company must develop research into new products, or improve them, so that our country ceases being a mere consumer, and participates actively in the production of knowledge".
Nokia does not plan to sell or service its mobile phones directly, but will enter into arrangements with Mozambican companies.
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