Mozambique

The Frelimo was a movement that fought to free Mozambique from Portugal, since the 60's. After its independence, it became a political party and started to control the country exclusively, aligned with its former communist allies, Cuba, the Soviet Union, and China, in opposition to their racially segregated, white neighbors' countries, South Africa and Rhodesia, that supported white recolonizers and internal guerrillas, Samora Machel was the president of Mozambique until his death in 1986. The Frelimo remains in power until today, after winning the multi-parties elections three times, in 1994, 1999 and 2004, even though accused of fraud – in which case, presented by the opposition, these accusations have been ruled out by international observers and by their country neighbors. The Renamo is the main opposition party, and during the communist period, they were a right wing guerrilla, supported by the West and by their country neighbors.

About 45% of their territory is potentially fit for agriculture, although 80% of it is used for subsistence. There is extraction of wood from the native forests. The economy's reconstruction (after the the civil war of 1992 ended, and after the 2000 flood) has been harsh, due to the existence of activated ground mines. The Gross Domestic Product of Mozambique was US$ 3.6 billion in 2001. The country is a member of the African Union.

The main agriculture products (data from 1997) are cotton, sugar cane, chestnut, copra (dried kernel of the coconut), and manioc. Its livestock (data from 1996) is based on  cattle (1.3 million), pigs (175 thousands) and sheep (122 thousands). There is less  fishing activity – 30,2 thousand in 1996. 

Minerals: coal, salt, graphite, bauxite, precious and semi-precious goldstones. There are also reserves of natural gas and marble. Industry: foods, textile, clothing, tobacco, chemistry, drinks (beer). 

The country has a great touristic potential, with special places for diving on its 2 thousand kilometers long coast, also, there are parks and natural reserves for animals throughout the country. In order to attract foreign investments, the Development Corridor of Nacala (CDN) was created, followed by the city's port, with roads, electric energy supply, and connected by train to its neighbor Malaui.

ACIANA 

It was established in 1992 as a private-law collective entity, without lucrative ends, representing its associates in the government and in public distribution, when concerning the protection of their interests.

Nowadays, ACIANA has 340 associates, of which the majority are merchants. Other areas include agriculture, industrial, livestock, transportation, and tourism.
ACIANA is linked to the Confederation of Business Associations of Mozambique – CTA and, over the past years, has become a Federation / Regional of the system, representing and coordinating the following entities on the State (Province) of Nampula:

1. ACA – Commercial Association of Angoche
2. Agricultural and Cattle Farming Association of Malema
3. Commercial and Industrial Association

According to the statutes “Laws of Associations”, ACIANA's objectives are: 

1. contribute to the economic development of Mozambique; 
2. promote and coordinate activities related to commerce, industry, agriculture, livestocks, transportation, hotelary / tourism, and other similar activities, by investigating their needs and studying the problems that compete against their development and economic progress.

The Aciana is a partner of the CACB on the implementation of the Empreender Programme in Mozambique.

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