A program named "Avante" and aiming at supporting the country's private sector initiatives to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS, formally started in Mozambique on Monday.

This program, which will be carried out in partnership with Consultancy and Projects Austral Company (ACP), was launched by Mozambique's National Council for Fight Against HIV/AIDS (CNCS) in the Resano Garcia town, near the border with South Africa.

According to a document issued by the CNCS, the program involves a component of communications and promotion of initiatives addressed to business people, to empower the companies in the management of such projects, all aiming at "enhancing awareness among the business community and persuade them of the benefits of carrying out activities against HIV/AIDS at the work place, to guarantee the companies' own future."

Budgeted at two million US dollars, mostly granted by the World Bank, the program is to have a two-year duration, until 2007.

CNCS Secretary General Joana Mangueira stressed that in Mozambique, fight against HIV/AIDS is a national emergency, because the pandemic endangers the lives of millions of Mozambicans, and jeopardizes all efforts to develop the economy and the country's progress.

Maputo provincial governor Telmina Pereira said that the private sector is an important part of the country's socioeconomic life and HIV/AIDS is a problem that has been increasingly putting at risk not only the public health, but also the country's development.

For his part, Mozambican Industry and Trade Minister Antonio Fernando called for the participation of all Mozambicans in this task.

"If we want increased production, it is necessary that our workers be healthy, both in the formal and in the informal sector, particularly concerning HIV/AIDS," he said.

Representing the World Bank in that ceremony, Michael Baxter mentioned the continuous reduction of life expectancy in Mozambique as a consequence of HIV/AIDS, and the need of intensifying the awareness campaign, particularly among the most vulnerable strata of the society, as a means to change their behavior towards the pandemic.

ACP General Director Jeanne Stephens, who presented the "Avante " project, explained that, for access to the funds and technical support, registered companies should submit a sub-project proposal to a special committee for approval. Each company will receive amounts of between 6,000 and 100,000 US dollars for the program. So far there are about 100 registered companies, including some from the informal sector.

Source: Xinhua