"We have received three proposals from South Africa, Mauritius and Zimbabwe following an international tender launched early last year," said Estevao Uamusse, the national director of infrastructure in the transport and communications ministry.

He said the government was looking for a strategic operator with experience in international airport operations to control the country's largest airport on a 15-year contract.

The winning bidder would have to invest at least $24 million to improve infrastructure  
.

"The operator will be required to uplift the current standard of the airport to an international one.

"We plan to open the bids this month so negotiations with the winner can start immediately in June," he said.

Uamusse said the government was also going ahead with a privatisation plan for the national airline, Linhas Aereas de Mozambique (LAM).

"We are at the final stage of preparing documents for an international tender," he said.

Uamusse said the state held 80 percent and was seeking a buyer for a 51 percent stake in the airline. LAM employees hold a 20 percent stake.