Scottish energy service firms can help make poverty history in Mozambique, the south-east African country’s president said yesterday.
Armando Emilio Guebuza was in Aberdeen to highlight opportunities opening up in the local oil and gas industry.
He told delegates at the conference on infrastructure development in Mozambique’s emerging oil and gas industry this was an ideal time to get involved in projects which could transform his country, one of the world’s poorest.
Mr Guebuza said he was also in the vibrant and dynamic city of Aberdeen to learn more about the Scottish experience of oil and gas. Mozambique’s policies would encourage foreign investment as its fledgling energy industry grew, he said, adding that opportunities opening up to exploit the countries natural resources had an key role to play in “our decision to make poverty history”.
Inviting north-east firms to do business in Mozambique, the president said: “We are fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead and we want to face them head on.”
He added he was also hoping to learn from other industries in the north-east, such as agriculture and fisheries, which could provide lessons for Mozambique. The country was not on the global oil and gas map as recently as three years ago but giant gas discoveries by Anadarko, BG Group, Eni and others have changed all that. Mozambique’s gas reserves are estimated at more than 100trillion cubic feet.
The Aberdeen conference was organised by the Mozambique High Commission in London and Aberdeen City Council, and continues today. Mr Guebuza’s other engagements include meetings with civic leaders plus visits to the city’s universities and the Aset International Oil and Gas Training Academy.
Other speakers at yesterday’s event at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre included Scotland Office Minister David Mundell, who said: “The skills and research coming out of Aberdeen, Scotland and the UK as a whole are second to none and in global demand, as today’s conference with President Guebuza reflects.”
Watch President Guebuza’s address below
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