MAPUTO, Mozambique – Brazilian authorities expect to announce a direct flight to Maputo within the coming weeks, a development expected to strengthen trade, investment and business links between Brazil, Mozambique and the wider Southern African region.
Laudemir Müller, president of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, ApexBrasil, said negotiations on the planned route were under way.
“Negotiations are under way and we expect the official announcement to take place in the coming weeks,” Müller told Lusa during the 61st Maputo International Fair, FACIM. 
He did not disclose the airline, route schedule or expected launch date. However, Müller said direct air access would make it easier for businesses from the two countries to engage and would support Mozambique’s position as a gateway to Southern African Development Community markets.
“Mozambique has an important market, it is a market of young, dynamic people, and it offers a hub for the region,” the ApexBrasil president said.
He said a direct connection would strengthen Mozambique’s role as a regional platform and bring Brazilian companies closer to markets across Southern Africa.
ApexBrasil is exhibiting at FACIM alongside Brazilian companies, cooperatives and institutions operating in food, healthcare, energy, gas and minerals. The delegation is seeking to create new business, investment and partnership opportunities between Mozambique and Brazil.
Brazil is the country of honour at this year’s FACIM, Mozambique’s largest business exhibition. The fair is being held at the Ricatla International Exhibition and Trade Centre in Marracuene district and has attracted about 3,000 exhibitors from 29 countries. Organisers expect about 55,000 visitors during the event.
Brazil’s food security participation includes family farming products such as nuts, beverages, animal protein and grains. The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa, is also taking part, with plans to assist in knowledge sharing and the training of Mozambican technicians involved in family farming.
The health sector delegation includes the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Fiocruz, and private pharmaceutical companies. ApexBrasil said the cooperation could encourage local production of medicines and vaccines in both Mozambique and Brazil.
Energy, natural gas, mineral resources and the energy transition have also been identified as priority areas. ApexBrasil is promoting joint technology development, greater use of local content and the processing of minerals into higher value products.
“Brazil is the country that supports. Of course, it is not the only one, but we want to be a priority country for Mozambique, because for Brazil, Mozambique is a priority for cooperation and partnership,” Müller said.
He said Brazilian and Mozambican businesses had already started meeting during the first day of FACIM, although it was too early to determine the number or value of deals that could result from the engagements.
“Our companies are the ones that close the deals. So our expectations are as positive as possible. We always hope that companies make good contacts and also, wherever possible, do business and close deals,” he said.
