Last Friday, the President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, invited Italian companies operating in the country to prioritize local content as a way of promoting and enhancing Mozambican products.

The Mozambican statesman, who was speaking in Maputo at a joint press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is on a working visit to Mozambique, said that "our intention is for Italian companies operating in Mozambique to work with a certain vocation in order to see local content with a view to empowering Mozambicans".

Quoted by AIM, Nyusi explained that the use of local material will promote and enhance it, as well as reducing imports, thus contributing to Mozambique's development.

"We need to work on transforming the raw material within the country and this is fundamental. Within the scope of gas projects, we must also look at domestic gas," he said.

In a visit aimed at deepening the ancient and historic relations of friendship, solidarity and cooperation, both leaders reaffirmed the interest of Mozambique and Italy in consolidating bilateral cooperation, as well as boosting economic diplomacy.

During the official talks, the parties reviewed the political, economic and social situation of the two countries, as well as security aspects that affect Mozambique's development and social tranquillity.

Both leaders also addressed the need to protect the environment and thus reduce the impact of climate change.

On climate change, Malone said that Italy has an initiative called the "Climate Fund" with around three billion euros to invest in African nations.

He said that economic and trade relations between Mozambique and Italy are extremely solid, and that Italy has always played a significant role in terms of infrastructure.

"We want to promote a new approach, a new cooperation. A friendship that has been solid in the past could have a stronger partner in the coming years, which is why I came here to meet you personally," he said.