Two Mozambican analysts told Lusa today that the visa exemption for citizens of 29 countries, including Portugal, will have a limited effect on attracting investment if it fails to combat bureaucracy and corruption in public administration.

Since January 1, business and tourism visitors on the list of countries announced by the government no longer need a visa to enter Mozambique, but simply pay a fee of 650 meticais at the airport, present a return ticket and proof of accommodation.

For economist and analyst Elcídio Bachita, in practice, "we need to fight corruption and bureaucratism".

"I think the Mozambican state still has a lot of work to do in this area," he said.

Bachita argued that civil servants resort to bureaucracy and corruption due to the low salaries they receive, which limits what he considers to be a reformist impulse in the measures being taken by the Mozambican executive.

On the other hand, he continued, it is important for public servants to be trained and informed about the importance of simplifying entry procedures in order to stimulate investment, business and employment.

"State leaders need to make officials aware of the need to be quicker and faster in dealing with the various requests for entry into the country," said Elcídio Bachita.

Emphasizing that streamlining travel procedures to Mozambique alone is not enough to make the country attractive, he admitted, however, that the decision constitutes "a giant step forward", especially for tourism.

The measure, he continued, could increase the leisure sector's contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is currently below 10%.

The economist welcomed the bold move to exempt citizens of the 29 countries from visa requirements, noting that this step reinforces the substance of the Economic Acceleration Package (PAE) announced in August 2022 by President Filipe Nyusi.

For his part, the executive director of the Association of Commerce, Industry and Service (ACIS) and analyst, Edson Chichongue, advocated more measures to support the entry of investors into Mozambique, including access to the Residence Identification Document for Foreigners (DIRE), along with the fight against corruption, with the aim of making the business environment more attractive.

"Taking this measure is not enough, in a situation where there are no actions on the ground to combat corruption" in the public administration, he stressed, acknowledging that the decision "is good in theory", but that the practical effect remains to be seen.

On the other hand, the executive director of ACIS pointed out the need to harmonize procedures in order to eliminate contradictions in the requirements imposed on foreigners by the different state bodies.

Chichongue also pointed to the need to train state officials to act in a way that is favorable to business and investors in the country, noting that there have been situations in which requirements are demanded that are outside the law.

He argued that the public administration should be strict with "prevaricating" officials who use "attrition tactics" to force investors and tourists to pay bribes. (Lusa Text)