Associação Industrial de Moçambique (AIMO) is our sister organization in Mozambique.

For many years AIMO has been a well respected business association representing the interests of industry in Mozambique. It was founded in 1989 when a group of visionary businessmen recognized the need to unite their voices in an effort to improve the business conditions for industry. The association grew rapidly with significant levels of participation from members. The membership base has however eroded over time and as a consequence so has the level of capacity of the association. For this reason it has been decided to make an intense and committed effort to strengthen AIMO so that members can enjoy the true benefits of being part of a strong business association, which can ensure beneficial conditions for industry.

A new partnership with DI

The first and important step in the process of strengthening AIMO is a new partnership with the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI), which is financed by the Royal Danish Embassy in Maputo and will run for at least the next four years.

The objective of the project is to capacitate AIMO to be a strong voice of industry as it was set out to be. The project was initiated in February 2010 and is already showing tangible results.

Policy Advocacy in action

A new research unit has been established with two researchers working full time to solve key challenges facing industry. In addition, an advisor from DI, Ms. Marie Lehmann, is temporarily based at the AIMO office in Maputo. She is managing the project and assisting the organisation in general and the research unit in particular in reaching their goals.

The first task of the unit has been to identify the key challenges facing industry and hence the AIMO members. The research unit carried out in depth interviews with 24 AIMO members to clarify the challenges. On this background the AIMO Board met in March 2010 at a strategic seminar to decide on the priorities of AIMO for 2010. At this meeting it was decided that AIMO will work to improve the following issues, which are hampering industry:

1. Access skilled labour

2. Inefficient customs procedures

3. Access to public procurement

4. Lack of quality standards in industry

5. Access to technology

6. Access to finance

At this point policy position papers are being produced on the three top priorities, topical seminars are being organised and implemented, and regular meetings with stakeholders including key Government officials are being conducted. Already, things are starting to change and the Government partners are ready to follow AIMO recommendations on improving the access to skilled labour.

The project is moving forward – fast. And this is due to the committed team working full time on improving the business environment in Mozambique. This is indeed policy advocacy in action!