Mister President, Excellency,
Members of the Government,
President of the Confederation of the Mozambique Economic Associations,
President of AICEP,
Entrepreneurs,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

My first words are to greet His Excellency the President of the Republic of Mozambique, whose State Visit is such an honour to us, as well as the entrepreneurial deputation which accompanied him.

I believe that the contribution of this Seminar towards the strengthening of economic and entrepreneurial relations between Mozambique and Portugal is of great importance.

Within the framework of the deep changes occurred in the world economy in the last few years, the emerging economies have been assuming an increasingly relevant weight and dynamism, including a growing integration in the flows of international trade.

It should also be emphasized that this progression is transversal. Asia, Latin America and Africa have all recorded significant economic growth. The economies of Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, have shown growth rates in excess of 5% since 2002, and should renew this rhythm, interrupted in 2009, already in the current year or in the next.

The recent global financial and economic crisis was a serious challenge to the sustainability of the progress obtained by the emerging economies during the last decade. But, contrary to what many expected, and notwithstanding the difficulties then and still faced by all the economies, the fact is that the performance of the emerging economies was very positively maintained, and that the gradual recovery of the world economy tends very clearly to be led by them.

For 2010, the IMF estimates a 6.3 percent growth in the emerging economies, compared to a 2.3 percent growth in the advanced economies, a differential which could increase in the years to come.

The case of Mozambique deserves special notice. Mozambican economy has grown at high rates in the last eight years, generally between 6 and 10 percent and, even in 2009, growth was clocked at 4.3 percent.

Independently from the vast challenges still faced by the Mozambican economy, we can safely assert that its performance in the last few years has been notable in all respects.

In addition to the economic dynamism shown, Mozambique may become an important platform of access to the countries in the Southern African region. The regional Southern African Development Community offers investment opportunities and the potential of a market with 250 million consumers.

Similarly, Portugal belongs in the European Union, a prosperous economic area and a vast attractive domestic market still in expansion. In addition, for historical, cultural and linguistic reasons, Portugal is equally a privileged platform regarding relations with Latin American countries.

The partnerships between Portugal and Mozambique in the access to these markets must, for this reason, be faced naturally and, above all, with the rightful ambition of those who recognize the growth potential involved.

Considering the economic changes occurred in the last decade, it is clear to me that Portuguese entrepreneurs should take a renewed look at countries such as Mozambique.

This requires a structural deepening of the relationship between the two countries, based upon a long term vision, adaptable to the development and to the ambitions of Mozambique and Portugal and to the evolution of global economic circumstances.

Further, taking into account the accumulated experience and the common ambitions of our entrepreneurs, cooperation between our companies should also include the sharing and the carrying out of objectives of internationalization in areas such as Europe, Latin America or Southern African countries. .

The progress recorded in the last few years in the economic relations between Portugal and Mozambique has been notable. Between 2005 and 2009, exports from Portugal to Mozambique grew in excess of 17 percent and imports increased at an average annual rate of approximately 10 percent.

In accordance with data published by the National Statistics Institute (INE), more than 1300 Portuguese companies exported to Mozambique in 2008, in an already diversified number of sectors.

Portugal’s investments in Mozambique have also been showing a growth trend, placing Mozambique as the eighth destination of external Portuguese investment in 2009, and Portugal as the second largest investor in that country.

I had the occasion, in 2008, to carry out a State Visit to Mozambique, accompanied by a significant entrepreneurial deputation. After this, in 2009, and in spite of the collapse in global trade, Portugal’s exports to Mozambique exceeded 120 million euros.

Last year, Mozambique was one of the few countries in the World and the only Portuguese Speaking African Country to which Portuguese exports recorded a positive growth.

I hope that the Visit of President Armando Guebuza to Portugal confirms and strengthens the closeness of the economic and entrepreneurial relations between our two countries, certain of the enormous benefits which will derive from this for the economic and social development of our two Peoples.

The discussions held in this Seminar, now concluding, will have certainly contributed to objectively and palpably assert this purpose and conviction.

Thank you very much.