Maputo, 27 August- 2 September. In the framework of the project “Support to Mozambique’s SMEs through Investment Promotion”, UNIDO ITPO Italy participated to the 54^th edition of FACIM, the multisectoral trade fair of Maputo, supporting some Italian companies in the agribusiness sector.

FACIM - Fiera Internacional de Maputo- is the business leading event in Mozambique. ITPO Italy, taking part in the initiative for the third year running, facilitated the meeting between the participating Italian technology providers and the local counterparts. In particular, ITPO Italy assisted the Italian exhibiting companies in the agribusiness sector identifying potential local partners as well as organizing the BtoB meetings aimed to facilitate industrial and commercial partnerships.

As part of its participation in the fair, ITPO Italy assisted the Italian firm MULMIX, global leader in the production of silos for the storage of grains and cereals, in an ad hoc company visit at the Mozambican enterprise STEMA - Silos and Terminal Graneleiro de Matola - one of the most important private companies for the storage of cereals in the African country.

Furthermore, in views of the institutional mission scheduled for the next November in Italy by the President of the Bilene District, Matias Albino Parruque, UNIDO ITPO Italy visited the crops of rice, vegetables and fruit, in addition to the aquaculture tanks, of the District located about 2 hours north from the capital Maputo. The visit allowed an assessment of the technological needs for the agricultural mechanization that specifically concern, among others, rice harvesting and cleaning, land levelling, and pumping systems for irrigation.

Finally, ITPO Italy had the opportunity to meet HE Cesar Gouveia Jr., recently nominated new Ambassador of the Republic of Mozambique to Italy, who presented his credentials to the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella on September 10^th.