By Paul Fauvet, in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa (MOZTIMES) - Mozambican President Daniel Chapo on Friday received the prominent United States economist, Jeffrey Sachs, who offered "strategic support to accelerate the economic transformation of Mozambique".
The two men met in Addis Ababa on the sidelines of the heads of state summit of the African Union. According to a release from Chapo's office, the meeting "served to consolidate long term development vision, with Sachs declaring that Mozambique could attain the status of a developed economy within 25 years".
Sachs is the head of the Network of Solutions for Sustainable Development, and also teaches at the US University of Columbia. With Chapo, he discussed "mechanisms to convert the potential of natural resources into tangible social progress".
Sachs said he had "an excellent meeting" with Chapo and "I am very enthusiastic about his leadership".
"A large amount of investment is coming to Mozambique, which offers us the opportunity for a very rapid advance in the economy" , said Sachs.
He based his optimism on Mozambique's "capacity to generate extraordinary revenue through the energy sector", and the subsequent reinvestment.
But this would require "rigorous technical implementation" so that the foreign capital involved results in benefits for the public.
"I am available to provide any support that may be necessary", said Sachs, "and for any technical assistance that may be relevant for working with the President's team in a strategy that allows significant acceleration of Mozambique's development". (PF)
