Mozambique: Growth at 8.1 percent in 2011 – expected to hit 7 percent this year

(Reuters) – Mozambique’s economic growth accelerated to 8.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 from 6.5 percent in the third quarter, data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) showed on Friday.

“The increased growth was underpinned by advances in mining, construction, manufacturing, transport and communications,” the INE said in a statement.

In cumulative terms, the economy grew by 7.1 percent in 2011.

Agriculture accounted for 15 percent of GDP growth for the fourth quarter, while manufacturing represented 14 percent.