22 February 2008
Maputo — The head of a visiting delegation from the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Age Bakker, thinks that Mozambique should do more to exploit its mineral resources, which he regards as the country's greatest wealth, as a means to ensure its socio-economic development.
Bakker was speaking in Maputo on Thursday, shortly after his delegation had been received by President Armando Guebuza.
Mozambique has to find ways of making its mineral resources bring greater benefit to the country, insisted Bakker. He suggested a number of mechanisms, including more transparency in the management of public resources, and the adoption of policies of decentralization and good governance.
He describes Mozambique as doing very well economically. However, there were still serious challenges to be faced, because the results of economic growth are not yet reflected in people's lives.
He argued that Mozambique should be able tom make use of the benefits of mega-projects, which must be developed in a transparent fashion.
"Only thus can people benefit from the country's economic growth" Bakker said. "Mozambique is a country rich in mineral resources that may help it develop in the next few years. But the challenge will be to design the projects in a transparent manner, so that they benefit the majority of the people".
There are 24 directors on the IMF Executive Board, representing countries or groups of countries. Bakker is the director from Holland, and the delegation also includes directors from Greece, Russia, China, and France.
This mission is currently visiting Mozambique after being in Lesotho, and from here it will fly on to Zambia and Tanzania.
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