Page 43 - Porto de Nacala/Port of Nacala

NACALA CORRIDORWell-organised transport connections along the Nacala Corridor, culminating in the already efficient gateway at the port, would boost the economic prospects of these provinces.Agriculture and tree plantations thrive in the good soil and climate in Nampula, Niassa and Zambezia, for example, suggesting a booming export sector is possible. The coal industry in Tete Province would similarly benefit from a proficient corridor and could conceivably expand to several times its current size.Substantial investment is needed to realise this potential. Much of the infrastructure was devastated in the Mozambican civil war and a great deal of work needs to be done to bring this vital economic connection up to the same standards as the highly successful central and southern Corridors that link Beira and Maputo to their hinterlands.If their experience is anything to go by, a fully functioning Nacala Corridor would act as a magnet for businesses and encourage them to fully develop the extensive resources of the northern Mozambique region.The success of the Port of Nacala in attracting major shipping lines to call has made a significant contribution in this regard and has enabled the development of a range of industries and skills across its hinterland. The port rehabilitation project will add a new dimension, allowing larger volumes to be moved with world-class efficiency.To support trade along the Nacala Corridor, the governments of Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia have constructed one-stop border posts between Malawi and Mozambique in Chiponde, and between Malawi and Zambia in Mchinji.At present, cargo can reach destinations in Malawi within four days of the completion of customs documentation at Nacala. Since a standard customs transit procedure takes three days, this means that cargo could be at its international destination just one week after landing at the Port of Nacala.Crucial next stepFormulating an integrated development strategy for the Nacala Corridor as a whole is the crucial next step. The Japanese Government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is lending its expertise to this project.The overall goals for the Nacala Corridor include:• • • •Enhancing social capacity and economic growth Effectively guiding appropriate development Promoting private investmentManaging the natural resourcesJICA, together with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and other partners, has co-financed road upgrading projects, including Nampula-Cuamba and Lichinga-Montepuez highways. Under consideration is the financing of a road from Cuamba over into Malawi.Meanwhile, the concession to operate the region’s rail network was granted to Corredor de Desenvolvimento doLigações rodoviárias e ferroviárias bem organizadas ao longo do Corredor de Nacala, culminando na já eficiente plataforma logística do porto, irão aumentar as perspectivas económicas destas províncias.Por exemplo, a agricultura e a silvicultura prosperam no clima e nos solos ricos de Nampula, Niassa e Zambézia, sugerindo a viabilidade de um sector de exportação próspero. A indústria do carvão na província de Tete iria igualmente beneficiar de um corredor eficiente e poderia aumentar exponencialmente a sua dimensão actual.Será necessário um investimento substancial para materializar este potencial. Grande parte das infra-estruturas foi destruída durante a guerra civil em Moçambique e é necessário muito trabalho árduo para que esta relação económica vital atinja os mesmos padrões que os bem- sucedidos corredores do centro e do sul, que ligam a Beira e Maputo às suas regiões do interior.Se a experiência destes corredores servir como exemplo, o Corredor de Nacala em pleno funcionamento irá agir como pólo de atracção para as empresas, incentivando-as a desenvolver plenamente os vastos recursos da região norte de Moçambique.Ao conseguir atrair grandes linhas de navegação, o Porto dePort of Nacala Handbook & Directory 2017 | 2018 41