Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen satisfied with the development cooperation done in Mozambique

Press release 389/2008
16 October 2008

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen is satisfied with the development cooperation carried out in Mozambique. Väyrynen’s visit to Mozambique on 14–16 October focused on development cooperation, but Finland’s trade relations with Mozambique were also promoted during the trip.

In addition to Emilio Armando Guebuza, President of Mozambique, Väyrynen met with the country’s foreign minister and several others in positions of influence.

Väyrynen said that the need to increase cooperation, especially in the sectors of forestry and the information society, rose to the fore during talks. “There was particular interest in Finland’s know-how in forestry, technology and innovation. Creation of a system for science, technology and innovation is fundamentally important with regard to the country’s sustainable development and economic growth.”

In line with the Development Policy Programme, cooperation between Finland and Mozambique is based on development that is economically, ecologically and socially sustainable. During his trip, Väyrynen also visited Zambezia Province, where Finland is financing a rural development project.

“On the basis of what I saw and heard, I can state that our development cooperation in Mozambique has achieved results. I am especially pleased with our programme cooperation in agriculture. Through the rural development project, we have been able to improve advice on agricultural issues and information technology in the region, to promote market access and to increase profitable small entrepreneurship. This is the grassroots level activity that enables us effectively to promote the country’s sustainable economic development and social development.”

Additional information: Jorma Suvanto, Head of the Unit for Southern Africa, mobile tel. +358 40 354 5675, and Riikka Manner, Press Attaché to the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, mobile tel. +358 400 739 824