§ Jane GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the volume of trade between the UK and Mozambique was in the last year for which figures are available; what recent estimate she has made of UK investment in Mozambique; and what steps she has taken to encourage trade between Mozambique and the rest of the Commonwealth. [87062]
§ Nigel GriffithsAccording to figures published by HM Customs and Excise, UK imports of goods from Mozambique in 2001 were valued at £7.5 million while UK exports were worth £12.6 million. In the nine months to September 2002 UK imports were worth £1.5 million while exports were £10.9 million. The figures do not take account of trade between Mozambique and British companies located in South Africa, for which statistics are not available.
Information on UK investment in Mozambique is not available due to commercial confidentiality.
Trade Partners UK has a small but busy section in Mozambique, assisting UK companies in the market and those wishing to access it for the first time. In addition TPUK has recently funded a high level delegation to the UK to highlight investment opportunities in a hydro-power project, Mpanda Ncua, and has given support to a trade mission from the UK planned for February 2003. It is not HMG's role to actively promote business between Mozambique and other Commonwealth countries. However, TPUK supported the Commonwealth Business Council in its efforts to run an investment promotion seminar jointly with the Mozambique Government in February 2002.