Maputo — The Mozambican government is still a very long way short of raising the money it needs to host the second summit of the African Union, the successor body to the OAU, in Maputo in July.

Foreign Minister Leonardo Simao told reporters on Wednesday that of the 23 million US dollars needed for the summit, only seven million are currently available.

Preparations for the summit are pressing ahead at a good pace, he said, but the government needed to step up its fund- raising efforts. "We're way below the amount required to cover the expenses inherent in holding the African Union summit", said Simao, requesting support from the country's foreign friends and from Mozambican companies.

Back in November, Simao met with diplomats from donor countries resident in Maputo, in the quest for funds. So far, however, there seems to be very little willingness on the part of donors to channel funds in this direction.

Simao also urged the Mozambican private sector and civil society to participate - not necessarily through money, but through the provision of goods and services.

Simao said that recruitment of the staff needed for the summit has already started. The requirements are put at 330 drivers, 109 interpreters, 100 other protocol and public relations staff and 165 cleaners and other domestic servants.

Simao regarded the money spent on the summit as an investment, since future events will also make use of the new conference centre now under construction, and will employ many of the same staff.

The next major event is a summit of leaders of the ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) group of nations, scheduled for 2004.