The government, represented by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and a Chinese consortium signed an agreement of principles today in Maputo for the implementation of an investment project, valued at around 40 billion dollars, according to RM.

Called "Mozambique Green Industrial Park", the project consists of the construction and operation of an industrial park, as well as the construction of a seaport for the export of manufactured goods, in the districts of Dondo and Muanza, in Sofala.

The minister, Silvino Moreno, said that the project also included the construction of a railway line to transport the goods.

"And the transformation and processing of minerals is planned, the investor made reference to lithium for the construction of batteries, but the processing of other minerals is also on the horizon. So it's a great project and a great opportunity for the country within its PRONAE program for the country's development, and we believe that this park will bring other opportunities. It's going to be a structuring, anchor project and there will be many other industries developing around this park," he said.

Construction work on the renewable energy-based infrastructure could begin next year, and the environmental impact study has already been completed. In the first phase of the project's implementation, 10,000 jobs are expected to be created for national workers.

"They already have the DUAT for the site, they've done all the necessary inspections, the survey, the first master plan and the first industries that will appear there," he said.

The representative of the Chinese group, [whose name could not be ascertained by MZNews], acknowledged the country's potential in terms of mineral resources.

"It's a mutual project that needs support and assistance from the government, especially with regard to mineral resources and electricity," he said.

The Chinese group already has investments in Zimbabwe and Indonesia. (News updated at 11:43).