The Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA), the largest employers' organization in the country, on Wednesday expressed its "deep apprehension and concern" about the kidnapping of Portuguese businessman Francisco José Casquinha Cêra, which took place on Tuesday (08), at the entrance to the office of NBC representações, a company that sells car accessories and parts, located in Rua Zedequias Manganhela, in the Mozambican capital..

In a statement, the CTA "vehemently" repudiates the kidnapping of the businessman and warns that this case joins six other kidnappings recorded this year, which have yet to be clarified.

"The occurrence of this crime is a major blow to the economic recovery efforts that investors and entrepreneurs have been making to pull the country out of the economic doldrums resulting from the vandalizing, looting and destruction of business infrastructure that took place less than a year ago," the statement said.

For the Mozambican business community, this type of incident "exacerbates investors' fears of directing their investments to Mozambique", stressing that "insecurity, terror and instability are weapons that undermine a healthy and attractive business environment".

"We deplore the fact that this criminal kidnapping is taking place at a time when the public-private dialogue is in the process of identifying the main barriers to investment, in preparation for the 20th Annual Private Sector Conference," the document states, stressing that the event's motto is 'Reforming to Compete - Moving towards Economic Recovery'.

To this end, the Mozambican private sector urges the competent authorities, in particular the Defence and Security Forces (FDS), to redouble the efforts of the specialized units fighting organized crime, with a view to the "rapid clarification of this case, the urgent and safe return of the kidnapped businessman and the total dismantling of the networks responsible for the kidnappings".

"No economy can develop in a climate of threats, fear and insecurity," stresses the CTA, calling on the Mozambican government to "implement immediate measures, within the framework of its powers, to definitively put an end to the climate of fear, terror and insecurity that characterizes the business environment."

(Photo DR)