The Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA) says that the country has lost 1.4 billion Meticais due to the paralysis of economic activity resulting from last Monday's demonstrations.

Agostinho Vuma, president of the CTA, explained that the demonstrations could discourage foreign investment in the country.

At a press conference on Wednesday, the president of the CTA said that the economic sector was extremely affected by the paralysis of economic activity, especially the informal sector, which saw its activity paralyzed with a percentage above 90%.

In economic and social terms for the working class, Vuma says the damage to families is immeasurable, "at a time when the country is struggling with unemployment, the majority of whom are young people".

In the tourism sector, Agostinho Vuma also said that international publicity about the riots would discourage the arrival of 365,000 tourists and could also result in a loss of revenue estimated at around 50 million US dollars.

The private sector has called for an end to the unrest at the demonstrations and for peace so that companies can continue to produce and create jobs.

In addition, Vuma added that the repercussions of the demonstrations in the international community could contribute to an increase in the cost of financing.

"This is at a time when the Standard & Poors rating agency has lowered Mozambique's debt rating, which could contribute to an increase in financing costs, both in the domestic and international markets. In other words, on the one hand, companies are making losses and, on the other hand, they will have no options to finance themselves in order to recover," he explained.

The CTA calls on all political forces and candidates, as well as unions and civil servants, to fulfill their duty to consider other forms of pressure and demands that do not have such a negative impact on the lives of the population.