Santiago — Mozambican President Armando Guebuza arrived in Santiago on Wednesday for the start of a three day official visit to Chile, during which agreements on fishing, mineral resources, education and social welfare are expected to be signed.

The visit is a chance to revive bonds of friendship between Mozambique and Chile that date back to the late 1970s, when many Chilean exiles, fleeing from the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, were granted asylum in Mozambique.

In the first years of Mozambican independence, Chilean exiles taught Mozambican students, some of whom have subsequently become prominent figures in the country's political life - including Prime Minister Luisa Diogo, and Foreign Minister Oldemiro Baloi. Baloi, who is accompanying Guebuza, will have the opportunity to meet his old teachers.

Friendship forged in the dark days of the struggle against apartheid in southern Africa and against fascism in Chile underlies the invitation to Guebuza from Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, and is expected to form a sound basis for economic cooperation.

Official talks between delegations headed by Guebuza and Bachelet take place on Thursday, and the Mozambican leader is also expected to meet with Chilean business people. As on his other visits abroad, Guebuza is certain to invite Chilean companies to invest in Mozambique.

Later in the day Guebuza is scheduled to inaugurate a photographic exhibition organised by some of the Chileans who were exiled in Mozambique during the Pinochet years, and to deliver a lecture at Chile's "Andres Bello" diplomatic college, where the country's future diplomats are trained.