The economy of Mozambique is expected to grow by 5.5 percent next year, after growing by 3.4 percent this year, according to the official government forecast.

Growth will accelerate next year as electricity and gas production, agriculture, manufacturing, fisheries, trade, transport and storage improve.

The forecast is part of next year’s Social and Economic Plan submitted by the government for review by the National Assembly.

Officials hope to increase food production to address this year’s deficit in agricultural production that has been caused by natural disasters, the Notícias newspaper reports.

The inflation rate will reach 15.5 percent next year and 282,200 new jobs will be created, the plan estimates.