The Government of Sao Tome and Principe is looking at economic cooperation with Mozambique as a strategy to strengthen the political and historical ties between the nations, the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation said Monday.

Edite Ten Jua noted that the visa suppression covers various fields, such as tourism, business, for example.

Commenting to the Jornal "Notícias" about the visa suppression between the countries, Edite Ten Jua said that São Tomé and Maputo now have bases to enter a phase of greater economic and commercial exchange, taking advantage of the potential they have in the most varied areas.

"This will facilitate small traders and that more informal economy that has its weight, its great importance. This possibility of people coming to Mozambique or going to São Tomé and identifying possible market niches, of commercial exchanges, has its advantage and its importance", highlighted Edite Ten Jua.

As an example, she said that São Tomé can support Mozambique in the production and export of coffee, a crop in which her country has relevant experience and in which Mozambique is still taking its first steps.

Fishing, he continued, is another sphere in which the two countries can interact.

"There has to be more stimulus so that we can consume 'Made in Africa'. What is produced in Africa has to be more disseminated among African countries," declared the diplomat, who lived and worked in Mozambique.

In the political area, there is solid cooperation, catapulted by the historical ties derived from the fact that both countries were colonized by Portugal and belong to the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and the African Portuguese Language Countries (PALOP).

Edite Ten Jua pointed out that many of the São Tomense staff did their university studies in Mozambique and many others continue to graduate in the country.