Maputo, Mozambique, 9 March – the Mozambican National Tourism Institute (Inatur) is seeking alternative funding to re-launch the Capulana tourism project, the country’s Tourism minister said, cited by Rádio Moçambique.

Launched in 2008, the Capulana tourism project, for rural areas of Mozambique, included construction of small hotel resorts in 64 districts in the country, specifically in areas with a lack of accommodation.

Soem units are already being built in a phased way and are expected to be finished in 2014, in line with regional distribution criteria. However, due to financial difficulties the project is now at risk as the government ahs consigned no funding for it in this year’s State Budget.

Minister Fernando Sumbana noted that the government had secured funding of US$5 million in India, and that it had contacted banks operating in the country, but noted, “ the packages of funding is still a question mark.”

This year was intended to see construction of five Capulana units in the districts of Mueda (Cabo Delgado), Gorongosa (Sofala), Funhaloro (Inhambane), Chókwè and Mwadjahane (Gaza).

The first tenders for construction of four Capulana units were launched in 2008 and the Moamba unit, opened in December 2009, is included in that group of tenders.

Construction work is underway at three units in the districts of Mandimba (Niassa), Alto-Molócué (Zambézia) and Guijá (Gaza), although the latter is at a standstill due to a lack of funding. (macauhub)