The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Silvino Moreno, announced yesterday (28) in Maputo that, although it is premature, the next government will have to find mechanisms to support commercial and industrial activity, including factories, stores, department stores, among others, as a way of avoiding chaos in Mozambique.

Moreno announced this minutes after finishing a visit to the Shoprite supermarket chain in the Hulene neighborhood, on the outskirts of Maputo city, which was also the target of looting and destruction,

"We came here to show solidarity with investors and entrepreneurs who are losing their assets, to understand the recovery plans," he said, as quoted by AIM.

"The government will have to support, but for this specific shopping center (Shoprite de Hulene) we were simply appalled, the level of damage, the way it was carried out, the looting and destruction," said Moreno.

He added that trade is the main economic activity, because products are manufactured in order to be sold. This means that trade and the business chain have to exist so that the population can have access to products.

"These are big investments. You saw Shoprite and the damage that happened, we're going to have to find some way, but it's still too early to think about specific things, we're going to recommend to the next government that we need to be bold in order to support the companies, stores, department stores that have suffered, so that they can quickly get back on their feet," he said.

The commercial network in various parts of the country has been badly affected, particularly the food industry. A plan is needed to support recovery. In addition to large companies, it is said that small ones on Avenida das Indústrias have not escaped the fury of destruction either, and it will take a long time for the owners to recover everything they have lost.

"The saddest thing is what is happening in Matola, where as well as looting products, the demonstrators have also destroyed factories. This is much more serious, we are cutting ourselves off from the ability to quickly replenish what is our capacity to feed the population, it is an absolute discouragement and our recommendation is that people put their hands on their conscience," said the government official.

"We're going to have a very difficult time, especially food difficulties for the population. We are destroying factories in Matola. That's why we're expecting difficult times, including the destruction of factories. The protesters can't think about tomorrow, this is a disaster," he said.

Preliminary figures from the country estimate that around 150 businesses were vandalized by the demonstrators. The government has faith that some insurance companies will be able to help entrepreneurs. (AIM)