Maputo — On November 7, the board of directors of the CTA paid a courtesy visit to the new Prime Minister, Alberto Vaquinha. The President of the CTA, Rogerio Manuel, congratulated him on his recent appointment and wished him success in his functions.

Rogerio Manuel introduced the members of the Board and the agenda of the CTA, while noting that it is working to improve the business environment. He noted that most of the concerns raised five years ago by the CTA are still hot topics.

The President of the CTA requested the support of the Prime Minister to overcome these barriers.

He also mentioned the internal challenges of the CTA, the process of federalization of trade associations and the strengthening of the Provincial Entrepreneurial Centres (CEP) in coordination with local governments.

The President of the CTA also presented the structure of a public-private dialogue, from the working groups to the Annual Conference of the Private Sector with the President of the Republic, while noting that this process was not formalized, but based on the consensus and goodwill among the various ministries and the CTA.

The Prime Minister, Alberto Vaquinha, stressed the importance of a public-private dialogue between the Government and the private sector, an unique and indispensable tool to overcome the many obstacles that companies face. He said that the dialogue mechanism is a new process for Mozambicans who were deprived of it in the past because of the colonial system.

He also noted that the Mozambican state was involved in this process at the highest level, and there were spaces created for discussion and consultation on issues affecting the private sector (eg the Economic Council).

The Prime Minister mentioned that there were several models to track reforms. Mozambique has the prerogative to consider which best suits its reality.

Before making the Expanded Consultation Council which will gather the Prime Minister and the private sector on December 14, he wants to make a point of the situation and prepare proposals for the coming year.

He concluded by stating that: "the Government is open to a successful public-private dialogue that reflects the concerns and national interests, we are a sovereign country and we know what we want for ourselves."