MATOLA, MOZAMBIQUE– The Premier of South Africa’s Mpumalanga Province, Refilwe Mtsweni, and her counterpart from Maputo Province in neighbouring Mozambique, Raimundo Maico Diomba, have signed bilateral agreements to strengthen economic relations between the two provinces which share part of the common border between the countries.
The agreementS signed in Matola, Mozambique, will see the two provinces work together in a number of areas, including trade, agriculture and agro-processing, tourism and transport and logistics.
The two provinces, which are separated by a border fencem share the same challenges, including unemployment, poverty and inequality. To deal with these challenges Mtshweni and Diomba renewed long-standing relations.
About 40 business people from Mpumalanga and relevant government stakeholders shared strategies with those from Maputo on how to exploit available opportunities in the two provinces during their meeting over the weekend.
Mtshweni says the move will also reduce the influx of Mozambicans migrating to Mpumalanga and other parts of South Africa in search of greener pastures.
Diomba believes the signing of the agreement will promote regional trade and will open great opportunities and improve the economy of the two provinces.
Mpumalanga Executive Councillor for Community Safety and Liaison Pat Ngomane says cross-border crime will be effectively dealt with. Ngomane says his department has also reached an agreement with the Maputo traffic authorities to fight road fatalities particularly on the N4 highway connecting the two provinces.
Mpumalanga Executive Council Member for Agriculture Vusi Shongwe says part of the agreement is to establish a farming project in Maputo.
The two provinces have committed to monitoring the projects agreed upon. Target and deliverables have been set to ensure the bilateral agreement yields positive results.
Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK