MAPUTO, Aug 28 (Xinhua) -- The 48th Maputo International Trade Fair opens in Mozambican capital city of Maputo on Tuesday under the theme of "Expanding Business Horizons, optimizing Synergies".

Mozambican president Armando Guebuza said during the official opening ceremony that all Mozambicans should be ready to address the new challenges that the country's business sector brings.

The president highlighted the increase of investments particularly in the sectors of natural resources such as natural gas and mineral coal and called for the entire nation to be prepared for the challenges, the Maputo daily Noticias reported on Tuesday.

The president mentioned the fact that Mozambique has access to strategic markets such as the SADC region, China, Japan, European and United States of America.

"We want that our private sector to continue stronger in order to participate actively in the sustainable development of our economy. The government will continue to give particular attention to the sectors that have ensured the average growth of 7 per cent over a decade," the president said.

Some 20 countries and regions were expected to attend the trade fair, including Portugal, South Africa, Brazil and Egpyt.