Italy plans to continue supporting Mozambique’s development by allowing small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) to join forces to invest in the agriculture sector, the Italian deputy Minister for Economic Development said Monday in Maputo.

Minister Carlo Calenda also said that this model may be put in place by an Italian group of cooperative associations which, as well as driving development, will make it possible to transfer knowledge to Mozambican farmers.

According to Mozambican news agency AIM, the Italian minister is on a two-day visit to Mozambique and has so far met with the Mozambican Minister for Industry and Trade, Armando Inroga, and other officials.

“We want to bring these cooperatives here so that the can operate in the agricultural sector, and the model will now be analysed to see if it is possible to apply it in Mozambique,” noted Calenda, who is leading a business delegation from his country.

Calenda said that trade between Mozambique and Italy had risen by 28 percent over the last few years, “but we are talking about less than 500 million euros,” which may double in the next few years.”

The Italian delegation includes 195 people including members of the government and businesspeople from a number of sectors. (macauhub/MZ)