USEFUL BUSINESS INFORMATION ON MOZAMBIQUE

1. Country Brief:

A. Introduction -  Mozambique is located on the southeastern coast of Africa and is bordered by Tanzania to the North, South Africa and Swaziland to the South, Zimbabwe to the West and Zambia and Malawi to the northwest. Mozambique is made up mainly of coastal lowlands, rising toward the west to a plateau ranging from 500 to 2,000 ft above sea level and on the western border to a higher plateau (6,000 to 8,000 ft), with mountains in the north reaching a height of over 8,000 ft. The highest mountains are Namuli (7,936 ft), Binga (7,992 ft) on the Zimbabwean border, and Serra Zuira (7,306 ft) in Sofala Province.

B. Climate - Two main seasons, one wet and one dry, divide the climatic year. The wet season, from November through March, has monthly averages between 27°C and 29°C (81–84°F), with cooler temperatures in the interior uplands. The dry season lasts from April to October and has June and July temperatures averaging 18–20°C (64–68°F). The average annual rainfall is greatest (about 142 cm/56 in) over the western hills and the central areas, and lowest (30 cm/12 in) in the southwest.

C. Geographical Area - 812,379 sq km (313,661 sq miles)

D. Language - Portuguese 9% (official; second language of 27%), Emakhuwa 26%, Xichangana 11%, Elomwe 8%, Cisena 7%, Echuwabo 6%, other Mozambican languages 32% (1997)

E. Currency With Exchange Rate – MOZAMBIQUE (MZN)

    1.00 MZN = 0.0387597 USD

F. Population - 19.4 million

G. Major Cities – Maputo, Beira, Chimolo, Chokwe, Matola, Nampula Quelimane, Tete, Xai-Xai.

2. Transportation:

A. Railway - total: 3,123 km (2002).

B. Road - total: 30,400 km; paved: 5,685 km; unpaved: 24,715 km (1999 est.).

C. Airports - 165 (2002).

D. Waterways - about 3,750 km of navigable routes

E. Sea ports - Beira, Inhambane, Maputo, Nacala, Pemba, Quelimane.

3. Economy:

A. Major Manufacturing - 

B. Major Export - $1.69 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity.

C. Major Import - $2.041 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles.

D. Major Industry - food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco.

E. Trade balance -

4. Trade Associations, Chamber of Commerce, Trade shows and Exhibitions in Mozambique:

Major Trade Associations

Chambers of Commerce

(A) Mozambique Chamber of Commerce

Tel:  +258 1 491970/492687

Fax:  +258 1 49-2210

Telex:  6498 CACOM MO

Office Address:

Mateus Sansco Muthemba Road, 452

Maputo

Mozambique

Postal Address:

P O Box 1836

Maputo

Mozambique

Major Trade Shows

5. Useful links:

Mozambique Importers, Dealers of Japanese Used Cars, Construction Machinery & Auto Parts