Representatives of the governments of Mozambique and China are negotiating funding for the construction of a polytechnic institute in the central Mozambican province of Sofala, which may cost US$18 million, AIM reports.

The Mozambican news agency quotes a written statement issued by the Mozambican Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher and Technical Education as saying the matter was discussed in Maputo recently by the minister in charge, Jorge Nhambiu, and a visiting party of Chinese designers and engineers.

The premises containing the institute will cover 310 hectares and accommodate up to 400 students, AIM quotes the ministry as saying.