Welcome to Zitamar’s daily Mozambique briefing for 23 February, 2018.
The latest from Zitamar News:
Mozambique to present restructure proposals to creditors next month
Mozambique wants ‘consensual and collaborative resolution’ with holders of its EMATUM, MAM and ProIndicus debt
The best of the rest:
State port and railways urged to enforce debt collection (AIM)
Mozambique’s minister of transport Carlos Mesquita has urged state-owned ports and rail company CFM to enforce the collection of around $60 million’s worth of debt, saying that it would be difficult for the company to improve if this was not achieved. Speaking at a meeting of the board, the minister noted that the country’s rail traffic had increased by 39.4% last year.
CFM is one of Mozambique’s few profitable state-owned companies – but still operates a long way below its potential, given Mozambique’s strategic position as the main access to the sea for Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Ressano Garcia rail line set for capacity improvement works (Notícias)
The Ressano Garcia rail link, connecting Mozambique and South Africa, will benefit from major works aimed at strengthening its capacity. CFM plans to rebuild two critical bridges this year, as well as replacing crossings on a 24-kilometer stretch of railroad.
The critical rail link has been interrupted twice this rainy season already – something which needs to be sorted out if Maputo doesn’t want to lose more South African goods traffic to Richards Bay or Durban.
MISA submits appeal to annul the appointment of TVM chairman O Pais)
The Media Institute of Southern African (MISA)’s branch in Mozambique has filed an appeal against the 13 February resolution appointing Armando Inroga, a former politician, to lead state broadcaster TVM. MISA argues the decision broke constitutional requisites for adequate consultation and freedom of speech.
This seems like a curious cause for MISA to get so worked up about. It’s good to oppose the politicisation of state media, but is there also an element here of MISA wanting to keep journalism jobs for journalists (i.e. its members)?
Maputo’s vegetable prices could soar due to rains (O Pais)
Prices of local vegetables in Maputo are set to rise due to recent showers that have submerged or washed away crops in Infulene valley, also known as Maputo’s greenbelt. Farmers had been hoping for more rain but the violence of the downpours has flooded fields and contaminated irrigation water with waste, raising both prices and health risks.
Agenda:
- Today: Bank of Mozambique to hold a meeting with commercial banks to discuss recently-approved foreign exchange rules and procedures
- Today: Trade fair between Mozambique and Turkey, organised by the Confederation of Economic Associations
© 2018, Zitamar Ltd. Reproduction and dissemination prohibited without written permission.
