Mozambique Ready to Host AfDB Annual Meetings

8 February 2008
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African Development Bank (Abidjan)
press release

The Mozambican government is strongly committed to hosting the 2008 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group scheduled to take place in Maputo from 14 to 15 May 2008, says Mozambique's Planning and Development Minister and AfDB Governor for the country, Aiuba Cuereneia.

Mr. Cuereneia said this on Friday in Tunis while leading a Mozambican delegation that was at the Bank to discuss issues related to the annual Meetings with Bank officials.

Speaking during the meeting, AfDB President, Donald Kaberuka, expressed the Bank's appreciation to Mozambique for accepting to host the 43rd Annual Meetings of the AfDB and the 34th meeting of the African Development Fund (ADF) Boards of Governors.

This year's Annual Meetings will be held on the theme: "Fostering Shared Growth: Urbanization, Inequality and Poverty". The meetings are the Bank Group's most important gathering of finance and development experts of the institution's 77 member states. The event brings together some 1500 participants, including finance ministers and central bank governors as well as private sector players, development partners and civil society representatives.

Considered one of the strongest economic performers in Sub-Sahara Africa, Mozambique is an example of a country going through a successful post-conflict transition. The country's economic growth has averaged 8% in the past 10 years, mainly driven by increased investments in mineral resources, industry, services, policy reform, pro-poor government expenditures and strong donor support.

"Our collaboration with the AfDB has been increasing since 1976. Mozambique benefited from 70 programmes in partnership with AfDB, mainly in areas such as infrastructure development, water, roads and energy to the tune of US$ 1.3 billion," Mr. Cuereneia said. The bank Group's Regional Office in Maputo, inaugurated in February 2006, facilitated the dialogue between the two sides, he added.

The AfDB is part of a group of 19 donors directly supporting the budget of the state for the implementation of the Government's Poverty Reduction Plan. Its annual contribution to the state budget support is estimated at US$ 30 million. The AfDB support has also been fundamental for the country's integration within the framework of NEPAD, the Minister said, adding that his country fully supports ongoing reforms at the Bank Group.

CONTACT: Yolanda Nunes Correia Tel.: +216 71 10 31 58 - E-mail: y.nunes-correia@afdb.org

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