Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa February 2016 | Page 61
this corridor is evident in the fact that ‘trade and
services’, of which transport is the major component,
currently accounts for over 41% of the Growth
Domestic Product (GDP).
There is vast development potential available along
the region of the Nacala Development Corridor to
support a wide variety of agricultural activities. All areas
within this region are currently under-utilized and
considerable potential exists to create a marketplace
surplus of construction, processing and export services.
The property sector stands to benefit enormously
upon the further development of the mining industries
within these regions with a strong potential in minerals
such as bauxite, phosphates, granite, coal and mineral
sands, which to the current lack of infrastructure and
transportation avenues has constrained the sectors
contribution to the economy.
The Nacala Development Corridor is being pursued
as one of a number of regional Spatial Development
Initiatives not only by the Mozambican government,
but also by the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) and the New Partnership for
Africa’s Development (NEPAD), in order to enhance
the level of economic integration of Southern African
economies by enhancing inter-regional trade and
increasing international competitiveness.
The overall regional development initiative of
the Nacala region is aimed at supporting longterm sustainable economic growth, as well as
employment creation. It is this regions’ strategic
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location, tremendously rich and diversified natural
resource base, and means for international exportation
through a variety of means, that provides the inherent
development potential now being exploited.
Therefore the vast infrastructure upgrades of Nacala
are by no means a coincidence. The new airport will
have the capacity for some of the largest airlines in
the world and routes of up to 5 000 miles, allowing
for direct connections from first world cities such as
Frankfurt and Singapore. The Nacala Development
Corridor will allow for critical raw materials and
minerals to be transported from major deposits and
allow cross-border stimulation. The Nacala deepsea water port is the focal point of interest for many
international companies and industries looking for an
accessible point of entry onto the African continent.
The aim it seems, is to transform Nacala into an
international hub for economic stimulation, not only
within Mozambique, but also for the African continent.
NACALA FACTS:
Established: 1970s
Population: about 208 000
Resources: Cement, Agriculture
Main Industry: Fishing, Cement
Infrastructure Upgrades: Port, railways and an airport.
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