Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has highlighted the value of China's experience in developing special economic zones (SEZs), saying it offers vital insights for Mozambique's own economic transformation.
In an interview with China Media Group in the capital city of Maputo on Monday, President Chapo recalled his first visit to China years ago, when he served as district administrator of Nacala-a-Velha. At the time, Mozambique was in the early stages of establishing the Nacala SEZ -- the country's first SEZ -- and looked to China for inspiration.
"I had good memories about my first trip to China. At that time, I was district administrator of Nacala-a-Velha. We were building the special economic zone of Nacala, which was the first special economic zone in Mozambique. So, we traveled to China to learn how to establish such zones and achieve rapid development. We visited Guangzhou and Shenzhen. In addition to Beijing, we also went to Shanghai, whose port ranks among the largest in China. Since Nacala is also a port city, we studied the operation of the Shanghai Port," said the president.
What impressed him most, Chapo said, was the dramatic transformation of Shenzhen -- from a small fishing village just decades ago into a thriving metropolis with vast industrial and commercial hubs.
"The first thing that struck me on my first trip to China was how the special economic zones have grown. We went to Shenzhen and learned that the city was a small fishing village about 20 years ago, and it had then developed into a large city with large industrial zones and large commercial areas. We want to learn from the experience in China's economic development, as they focus on the development of special economic zones and bonded industrial zones, which are precisely the priorities for Mozambique's own development," said the president.
Mozambique learns from China's special economic zone model: president
