This Friday, the Governor of the Banco de Moçambique (GBM), Rogério Zandamela wrapped up the 47th meeting of the Advisory Board of the Banco de Moçambique (47th CCBM) in Beira city.  This year, the topic elected for the public session was "Challenges and Opportunities of the Sugar Industry in Mozambique: The Case of Sofala", which provided for lively discussions and inputs from attendees. Moving forward, the GBM committed himself, before all in attendance, to ensure the consolidation of inputs collected and to convey them to the government institutions concerned.  "The goal of the study that we presented was not to exhaust the topic, but to add to fostering a debate and our engagement in efforts to develop the country.  I would take this opportunity to challenge the financial sector to proactively support financing to this industry in their supply chain, especially small growers".

Rogério Zandamela also mentioned visits by the Banco de Moçambique (BM) to small economic undertakings in the province, namely MEREC Industries and the Mafambisse Sugar Plant (Tongaat Hulett), where they noted that "despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate chocks on the business fabric, the plants in question, as well as other local initiatives, have been driving job creation and income generation, and, in doing so, the welfare of local households as well".

Zandamela added that, in light of the advisory board meetings and social responsibility, the BM has been supporting several local initiatives.  In the particular case of Beira, the BM has chosen the Centro Infantil Melanie (Children's Center) and the Centro Siloé to benefit from rehabilitation by the improvement and equipping of infrastructures.

The GBM wrapped up the event by expressing his appreciation to government and city authorities for their availability and support during the event preparation, and the Organizing Committee of the 47th CCBM, which worked quite hard to make the event successful.