The debate on local content has been frequent in the Mozambican private sector, especially as companies seek to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the major projects in the north of the country. Seeking clarification on the subject, representatives of the Confederation of Economic Associations (CTA) met in Maputo with the Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Carlos Zacarias.
During the meeting, they discussed issues such as valuing Local Content in the oil and gas value chain, the high cost of financing in the extractive industry, the revision of the decree-law to balance the sector’s competitiveness and the management of procurement contracts in Local Content.
Minister Zacarias assured that the government is working together with those responsible for major projects to define the minimum investment amounts to be allocated to the national business community. He explained that, although the decree does not perfectly define the amount or percentage to be allocated to Mozambican companies, the process is underway and will soon be resumed with the concessionaires.
Regarding the procurement process, Zacarias said that work is being done with the National Petroleum Institute (INP) to ensure significant impacts. CTA has proposed to the INP and the Local Content Commission that they draw up a list of goods and services that the Mozambican private sector can compete to supply.
