MOZAMBIQUE INTERESTED IN PURSUING A TIFA WITH THE

UNCLAS MAPUTO 000552 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/S - HTREGER STATE PASS TO USTR - PCOLEMAN COMMERCE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE SPECIALIST - RTELCHIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD EINV ECON MZ TIFA SUBJECT: MOZAMBIQUE INTERESTED IN PURSUING A TIFA WITH THE UNITED STATES REF: A. STATE 79861 ¶B. COLEMAN-LA LIME EMAIL 04/29/05 On May 4, Ambassador delivered Reftel A talking points regarding a U.S.-Mozambique Trade Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) to Antonio Fernando, Mozambican Minister of Industry and Commerce. The Minister stated that the GRM is interested in exploring the possibility of negotiating a TIFA with the U.S. and asked that the Ambassador forward the draft text to him upon first opportunity. (NOTE: Post will forward English and Portuguese versions of the draft TIFA text contained in Ref B to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce once Post has received confirmation from USTR that this is acceptable. END NOTE) Fernando stressed that the decision of whether to pursue a TIFA with the U.S. would have to be made by the GRM as a whole, but he promised to raise awareness of the TIFA within appropriate GRM circles. The Ambassador also mentioned that a delegation from the Office of the USTR was interested in visiting Mozambique this month to discuss a TIFA. Fernando said the delegation's visit would be welcome. LALIME