Maputo — The Japanese government delivered a donation of 30,000 tonnes of wheat to Mozambique on Monday as part of Japan's food aid to African countries.

During the ceremony where he received the donation, Mozambique's Minister of Industry and Trade, Antonio Fernando, said that the donation "came at the right time, and it will significantly help supply the country's milling factories".

He added "we hope that the price of wheat and bread will not increase and will remain stable on the market".

This donation, valued at 9.93 million US dollars, will generate funds to be used in the government's poverty relief programmes.

For his part, the Japanese Ambassador, Susumu Segawa, stressed the great potential of Mozambique, saying that "the important thing now is to develop that potential. This country has the potential to be a food exporter".

Japan has been sending food assistance to Mozambique since 1977, with the total amount now valued at about 144 million US dollars.