United Arab Emirates is one of the top investors in Mozambique’s growing economy and was its largest investor in 2012, according to statistics from Mozambique’s Investment Promotion Center, StarAfrica reports.

UAE investments in Mozambique that year included 20 approved projects with a total value of $309.14 million US.

Much of it went to build a new railway from the Moatize coal basin in Tete province through Southern Malawi to the new coal terminal at Nacala-a-Velha across the bay from the existing port of Nacala, according to StarAfrica.

Mozambican President Armando Guebuza is expected to address 500 government officials and business leaders in October at the African Global Forum scheduled in Dubai, according to a statement by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, APA reports.

The theme of the speech will be “Leading the Continent Towards Change.”

Among those expected to attend are Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome, Senegalese President Macky Sall and Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.

Prime ministers of Uganda, Burkina Faso, and Malawi are also expected to participate. Other notable African figures who said they’ll be attending include Nigerian
businessman Aliko Dangote and former Botswanan President Festus Mogae, according to the StarAfrica report.