Mpumalanga Premier, Refilwe Mtsweni, and her counterpart of Maputo province in Mozambique, Raimundo Maico Diomba, have signed bilateral agreements to strengthen economic relations between the two neighbouring provinces.
The agreement signed in Matola, Mozambique, will see the two provinces work together in a number of areas that include trade, agriculture and agro-processing, tourism and transport logistics.
The two provinces, Maputo and Mpumalanga are separated by a border fence. The provinces share the same challenges, including unemployment, poverty and inequality. To deal with these challenges Mpumalanga Premier, Refilwe Mtshweni, and her counterpart, Raimundo Maico 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. Mtshweni says the move will also reduce the influx of Mozambicans migrating to Mpumalanga and other parts of the country seeking greener pastures.
Maputo premier, Raimondo Maico Diomba believes the signing of the agreement will promote regional trade. Diomba says it will open great opportunities and improve the economy of the two provinces.
Mpumalanga Community Safety and Liaison MEC, 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, connecting the two provinces.
Mpumalanga Agriculture MEC, 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.
