Aids, Bureaucracy, Corruption Hinders Development in Mozambique – EC

The European Commission on Sunday said corruption, HIV/AIDS and excessive bureaucracy are Mozambique`s key development obstacles derailing the governments efforts of poverty reduction, according to a senior official.

The EC head of delegation in Mozambique, Glauco Calzuola praised the results achieved by the government in macro-economic stability and the management of public finances, but remain concerned at the lack of progress in the fight against corruption, HIV/AIDS and red tape.

“HIV and AIDS is a big problem, despite the fact that the government is fully aware about this while corruption is a problem that the government is trying to face with a strong support from the international community and they are well are that this can be an obstacle to development and growth of the country….bureaucracy is also another problem”, he said in an interview.

The health Ministry says at least 16 percent of the country`s economically active adults aged between 14 and 29 are living with AIDS or carrying the HIV virus deriving from about 500 daily infections.

There are 20 million people living in Mozambique.

Mozambique’s growth is largely driven by foreign aid, while the local economy has been slow to develop, especially small and medium-sized firms that struggle to secure financing.

The government has predicted an 8 percent growth rate for 2008 which the the World Bank, the country’s largest donor, said is realistic despite damaging floods and cyclones.

Mozambique’s economy has been buoyed by growing foreign investment and tourism and a more stable agricultural sector.

Source African Press Agency

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