Mozambican Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will be able to actively participate in the supply chain of goods and services to the coal, oil and natural gas industry, according to the Mozambican Chamber of Commerce (CCM).

For now, CCM is working on the empowerment of the national business community to better respond to the main requirements of the hiring processes demanded by the multinationals involved in large projects in the country.

Yolanda Fernandes, vice president of CCM, said that the institution is aware of the challenges that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) face to be eligible in the various public tenders launched, given the numerous requirements of the respective processes.

There are also constraints of an administrative, quality, and product certification nature, as well as some related to treasury aspects that dificult the competitiveness of companies.

"We have witnessed, however, that in recent years the potential for growth and diversification of the structure of the Mozambican economy and the enormous availability of natural resources, with an emphasis on gas and coal and other energy resources, has required greater investment from our businessmen and entrepreneurs to meet the demand that arises," he said.

Fernandes explained that in order to overcome these challenges, his institution has been investing in programs to support capacity building and the financial sustainability of its associates in order to provide better services and improve the quality of its products.

"We refer to institutional capacity building in terms of better qualificated human resources capable

to respond to the challenges of good service, good business management, certification, and promotion of joint ventures that foster partnerships for better competitiveness," he stressed.

The source stressed that the CCM is encouraged by the latest pronouncements of the Government, at the last International Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Fair, regarding the promotion of local content in the extractive industry.

"For example, we five learned that the Government of Mozambique has negotiated with the various concessionaires to welcome the responsibility to empower domestic companies so that they are eligible at the various standards required," he said.

He also welcomed the Government's commitment to channel, in a first phase, around 20 percent of the mining, oil and gas contracts to local content.