The Second Conference of the Forum on Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese- speaking Countries will be held here from Sept. 24 to 25. The following is a brief introduction to Mozambique, one of the seven Portuguese-speaking countries:

Located in the southeastern part of Africa and bordering on the Indian Ocean to the country's east, Mozambique has a population of 18.9 million with an area of 801,600 square kilometers.

Rich in natural resources, Mozambique has a combined forest area of about one-fourth of its territory. Its main mineral resources include tantalum, coal, iron, bauxite, uranium, graphite and diamond, with the reserve of tantalum ore ranking first in the world. Mozambique is chiefly an agricultural economy, with its industry being hinged on the processing of such farm produce as grain and sisal hemp.

The principal exports of Mozambique are cashew nut, cotton, sugar, tea and coconut. Its imports include machinery, electronic equipment, transport means, textiles and metals. The country has recorded a rapid economic growth in the past few years, with its economic growth rate reaching 12 percent in 2002, or more than quadruple the average of Africa.

China and Mozambique established diplomatic relations in 1975. China has been providing assistance to Mozambique in various forms, with projects covering textile, iron and steel, municipal construction, water conservancy and aquaculture.

In 2005, trade volume between China and Mozambique reached 156 million U.S. dollars. China's chief exports to Mozambique are cereal, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, garments and textiles, metals, general machines and electrical machinery, while its imports include timber and marine products.

Source: Xinhua