The Mozambique government expects the economy will grow by 5.5 percent next year, according to the Economic and Social Plan for 2017.

The draft plan and budget were approved by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, the AIM news agency reported.

Council spokesman Mouzinho Saíde said increasing food production was one objective for next year after a deficit in agricultural production this year. Maintaining the value of the currency, the Metical, and macroeconomic stability were other government objectives.