MAPUTO, February 4, 2008 — World Bank Group President Robert Zoellick completed a busy three-day visit to Mozambique with praise for the country’s progress in implementing economic reforms that have boosted growth and placed the country among the leading economic performers in the continent over the past decade.
This was Zoellick’s first visit to Mozambique -- and his last stop of a four-country visit to Africa. He was accompanied by the World Bank’s Vice President for Africa Obiageli Ezekwesili.
Zoellick noted that his visit provided an opportunity to listen and learn about how the World Bank Group can best support the country's important development agenda.
President Zoellick and Vice-President Obiageli Ezekwesili and team arriving at the Beira International Airport, and received by the Governor of Sofala.
“I am truly impressed with the economic and social progress that Mozambique has made over the past decade, and I commend the country’s leadership for successfully carrying out reforms that have led to economic growth and have helped make Mozambique a major destination for foreign investment,” he said.
Zoellick also noted that Mozambique needs continued reforms in governance so that the country will get the most out of new investments.“In this way, economic growth will improve the everyday lives of all Mozambicans.” Zoellick focused on three key themes in his meetings and field visits: how Mozambique can sustain high economic and social progress and thereby successfully transition from a post-conflict country to one that is accessing new sources of growth; how governance challenges can be tackled to ensure broad-based growth; and how Mozambique can better address the problem of HIV/AIDS and its impact on the country’s development. He engaged in open dialogue and expressed a keen understanding of the issues raised by government officials, private sector and health leaders, among others.
Mr. Zoellick also met and discussed with Prime Minister Luisa Diogo and other members of the Government.
Zoellick met with President Armando Guebuza. He also met with Prime Minister Luisa Diogo, who was joined by several government ministers. He expressed his personal thanks to the prime minister for her role in hosting the July 2007 meeting in Maputo that led to a successful International Development Association (IDA) 15 replenishment. He also emphasized the World Bank Group’s willingness to consider various forms of support to respond to the country’s evolving needs.
Zoellick was visibly moved during his visit to the central hospital in Beira, in Sofala province, where he spent time with patients suffering from AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and malnutrition. He underscored the need for a human development agenda that includes boosting agriculture output to help curb malnutrition, what he calls the forgotten Millennium Development Goal, as well as improved education, especially vocational education.
During his flight to his first stop in Beira, he was able to view the extent of flooding in areas near the Zambezi and Púngue rivers and later had a briefing from local authorities on this natural disaster.
Mr. Zoellick also visited the rehabilitation of the Sena Railway, benefiting from $100 million worth of IDA funds. The visit included a presentation done by the railways authority and 10-minute ride.
In Beira, Zoellick also had an opportunity to see firsthand the reconstruction of the Sena railway. The World Bank is supporting the rehabilitation of the railway through a $100 million IDA credit. Rehabilitation will energize a number of development projects in the region. It will invigorate the viability of coal mines in Tete province and it will provide neighboring Malawi an access route to the sea. As a theme of the visit, Zoellick emphasized the importance of dealing effectively with governance issues, including those associated with the development of large infrastructure projects.
In the capital, Zoellick visited the Mozal aluminium plant and Temane gas distribution point for the city, which have been supported by the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). Zoellick welcomed Mozal’s social responsibility programs on HIV/AIDS and education. He also heard how Mozal is working with the IFC through its Linkages Program to support local business participation as service providers to the project and other investment opportunities. His schedule in Maputo also included constructive roundtable discussion with private sector leaders and a meeting with World Bank Group staff and managers.
Mr. Zoellick during the media roundtable. He started by outlining the objectives of his visit, what he saw and heard, and shared his vision and recommendations.
At a roundtable discussion with media prior to his departure, Zoellick emphasized the World Bank Group’s commitment to supporting Mozambique in meeting its development challenges as outlined in its new Country Partnership Strategy for 2008-11. In particular, these challenges are promoting accountability and public voice; increasing equitable access to key services; and achieving broad-based growth. Flanked by the Minister of Planning and Development, Zoellick underscored that the World Bank Group has learned lessons and has recognized it can do things better.
“The key is to work in partnership with the client,” he said. “There’s a lot to do. Together we learn and move forward.”
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