The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIC) and the European Union (EU) "sat" at the same table Friday in Beira City, Sofalato update and discuss the operational plan for implementing and strengthening the Economic Partnership Agreement.

The event took place in a hybrid way, under the theme "Exports and Investments at the time of covid-19", and was attended by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Carlos Mesquita, the Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union in Mozambique, António Sánchez Benedito Gaspar, members of the provincial government, partners, businessmen, among others.

According to Carlos Mesquita, the meeting aimed to empower, professionalize, and modernize the capacity of national Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), to foster industrialization, to promote the digitalization of trade, and to massify access to international market information, business opportunities, and investments.

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Mozambique and the EU has lasted for four years and establishes a new regime for economic and commercial cooperation with regard to market access options, allowing Mozambique to export to EU countries free of quotas and customs duties.