IST-Africa 2007 Conference & Exhibition

09 - 11 May 2007, Maputo, Mozambique

Venue

The IST-Africa 2007 Conference and Exhibition will take place in the Joaquim Chissano International Conference Centre, Maputo, Mozambique.

All conference delegates need to be registered and confirmed prior to the Conference.

It is necessary for all confirmed delegates to complete onsite registration to receive your name badge and conference pack. It is necessary for delegates to wear their IST-Africa 2007 name badge at all times during the conference as identification to gain access to the Conference Sessions, Exhibition, Lunch and Networking Reception.

Onsite Registration will commence from 15:00 - 18:00 on Tuesday 08 May in the Joaquim Chissano International Conference Centre. Onsite registration will remain open during normal conference hours on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Security, Health and Safety

Please wear your name badge for all IST-Africa 2007 activities, as it is your identification and allows you access to the facilities on offer. While the conference centre is on a secure site and not open to the general public, it is still necessary to take care of bags, personal computers and other personal belongings.

While security staff will be present at the conference venue, the organisers cannot accept any responsibility for losses incurred or for personal health and safety.

Delegates should ensure that they have personal health insurance and take due care when exploring the city of Maputo. Any special needs or requirements should be notified to the Conference Secretariat as far in advance of the event as possible.

Maputo

Maputo is the capital of Mozambique. While in Maputo, delegates and accompanying persons should ensure they visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of Conception and City Hall located at the Praça da Independência; the Railway Station on the Praça dos Trabalhadores, which was built in 1910; the Statue commemorating Mozambican soldiers who fell in the First World War; the National Museum of Art; the Iron House designed by Gustave Eiffel; the Statue of Samora Machel, Mozambique's first President; the Botanical Gardens (Jardim Tunduru) behind the Statue of Samora Machel and Museu de História Natural (Natural History Museum) on the Praça da Travessia do Zambeze, which displays many of the animal species of Mozambique.

After the conference, delegates should also try to visit the island of Inhaca, which lies about 40 km off the coast of Maputo and the Maputo Elephant Reserve, situated 79 km south of Maputo. The Social Programme provides a range of tours in and around Maputo for delegates and partners.

Climate

Average temperatures in Maputo in May are temperate, ranging from 16 to 25 degrees Celsius. The dry season lasts from April to October.

Currency

The currency in Mozambique is Metical (MZN). The exchange rate is approximately 1 EUR = 34 MZN

Most hotels and restaurants quote prices in US Dollars and also take dollar currency. Hotels and larger restaurants will take payment by credit card but smaller items need to be paid for in cash. All crafts vendors will expect to be paid in cash and will normally take Metical, US Dollars or South African Rand.

It is a good idea to have some local currency if you wish to buy crafts and pay for taxis as well as small denomination dollar notes.

ATM Machine

There is an ATM Machine in the Polana Shopping Centre on Av Julius Nyerere if you wish to withdraw local currency.

Shopping

There are crafts markets near each of the conference hotels and in front of the Polana Shopping Centre. You should remember to negotiate prices.

Departure Tax

Leaving Maputo airport there is a departure tax of 500 Metical per person. After checking in your bag at the International Departures desk, there is a separate queue to pay the departure tax prior to going to the gate.