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Rovuma LNG Initiates Development of Enterprise Development Center
MAPUTO, Mozambique – ExxonMobil Moçambique, Limitada, on behalf of Mozambique Rovuma Venture and the Area 4 partners, announced the award of a contract to establish an Enterprise Development Center (EDC) with offices in Maputo, Pemba, and Palma, in collaboration with the government of Mozambique and the private sector.
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- First office to open in 2020 to build capacity of Mozambican small-and-medium enterprises
- Program made possible through US$3 million investment by the Area 4 partners
The EDC is a platform to develop qualified, competitive Mozambican businesses with transferable skills that can support a variety of Mozambican growth sectors, including the extractives industry. Services include business assessments, consulting and advisory services, quality and safety certification requirements and information on accessing capital The EDC is being developed by Mozambique Enterprise Solutions, Limitada, a joint venture between DAI – a global social and economic development firm – and local implementing partner, TPLA.
“We are committed to prioritizing local procurement for Rovuma LNG,” said Jos Evens, general manager for ExxonMobil Moçambique, Limitada. “The EDC will assess the capabilities of local suppliers and prepare them to compete both nationally and internationally.”
Mozambican companies will receive personalized feedback to highlight strengths, identify opportunity areas and provide practical recommendations for overall capacity development. Further, the EDC will host seminars, business-training sessions and information regarding project and contractor procurement procedures.
The first office is expected open in Maputo within the first half of 2020, with offices in Pemba and Palma to open following a final investment decision by the Area 4 partners.
The Area 4 partners are investing US$3 million to establish and operate the EDC for the first year. Additional international institutions and operators are encouraged to subscribe to the EDC to create a sustainable, multi-stakeholder platform that can support other projects and industries into the future.
“The EDC is an integrated pilot corporate platform, designed to provide technical and promotional support for the qualification and modernization of our small-and-medium enterprises,” said Claire Mateus Zimba, managing director of the Institute for SME Promotion (IPEME). “The establishment of the EDC is a significant contribution to Mozambique's economic and entrepreneurial growth process.”
“We are excited to bring our global expertise to Mozambique in partnership with TPLA, a Mozambican woman-owned business,” said Zachary Kaplan, director of DAI. “Together, we intend to support the local content goals of Rovuma LNG and the government of Mozambique.”
About Rovuma LNG
Area 4 is operated by Mozambique Rovuma Venture S.p.A. (MRV), an incorporated joint venture owned by Eni, ExxonMobil and CNPC, which holds a 70 percent interest in the Area 4 exploration and production concession contract. In addition to MRV, Galp, KOGAS and Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos E.P. each hold a 10 percent interest in Area 4. ExxonMobil is leading the construction and operation of the natural gas liquefaction and related facilities on behalf of MRV, and Eni is leading the construction and operation of upstream facilities.
Area 4 is operated by Mozambique Rovuma Venture S.p.A. (MRV), an incorporated joint venture owned by Eni, ExxonMobil and CNPC, which holds a 70 percent interest in the Area 4 exploration and production concession contract. In addition to MRV, Galp, KOGAS and Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos E.P. each hold a 10 percent interest in Area 4. ExxonMobil is leading the construction and operation of the natural gas liquefaction and related facilities on behalf of MRV, and Eni is leading the construction and operation of upstream facilities.