Valá pointed out the paths that Mozambique must take to make gains from globalization, speaking to Lusa about the book he launched in Maputo, entitled "Globalized Economy & Development Paradoxes: Inconclusive Reflections.

"Without being a failed state, Mozambique faces complex challenges that will take decades to overcome if the country is to write a success story with globalization," he said.

Natural disasters, armed conflicts and weak institutions prevent Mozambique from making a transition to a prosperous economy, he added.

Salim Valá pointed out that Mozambique's delay in taking advantage of the opportunities generated by globalization is common to most countries, with exceptions, however, with states that have made giant strides with globalization.

"We have several outstanding examples of taking advantage of the opportunities of globalization such as China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Cape Verde, Mauritius, Seychelles, Botswana, Poland and the Czech Republic," he said.

The ability to mobilize economic assets, diversify, strengthen institutions, and the demographic dividend are key to making gains from globalization.

"The countries that have better understood globalization and prepared for the process have been taking advantage, for the last 30 to 40 years," he pointed out.

A country not prepared to take advantage of the opportunities of globalization will fall into the ranks of the "discontents," said the BVM president, paraphrasing US economist Joseph Stiglitz, who said that globalization is creating discontents.

"Globalized Economy & Development Paradoxes: Inconclusive Reflections" is the author's seventh and all deal with matters of economics, Salim Valá's area of training.