Maputo (Mozambique), 11/5/2003 (Agência Brasil – Abr) – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in this country on the eastern coast of Africa yesterday. He is scheduled to sign agreements in the areas of health, agriculture and education.

Lula's arrival also coincides with negotiations by the Brazilian multinational firm, Vale do Rio Doce, for a share of rights to the Moatize coal fields in the northern part of the country. If there is a favorable agreement, it will make a significant difference in bilateral trade relations.

During his stay in Maputo, Lula will visit a hospital where 100 AIDS patients are being treated with drugs donated by Brazil. Among the agreements Lula will sign is one for the installation of a laboratory to manufacture AIDS medicine in Mozambique. According to minister of Health, Humberto Costa, the Lula visit has been eagerly awaited because it will be followed by further assistance in healthcare, not only for AIDS, but also for malaria and tuberculosis.

As for education, Brazil and Mozambique will sign an agreement expanding that country's Brazil- type School Scholarship program to the whole country. (AB)