Portugal remains a relevant partner for Angola, even in terms of trade – Observer
The minister of Industry and Trade of Angola said this Friday, in Luanda, that Portugal continues to be a relevant partner, among the countries in the increase of trade.
“Portugal continues to be a relevant player in trade with Angola and it’s not just food products, it’s machines, especially services. Portugal exports services to Angola, unlike Angola, many services from Portugal. There was a decrease, but it remains relevant”, said Victor Fernandes.
The official did not speak with the launch of “CaféCIPRA”, an initiative of the Press Center of the Presidency of the Republic of Angola direct and open dialogue between Angolan government officials and invitation, which is intended to be held every fortnight.
According to the minister, due to changes in recent years, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the increase in national production, many of the products that serve the purpose of cleaning via Portugal have reduced their export rate.
In turn, the Minister of Economy and Planning, Mário Caetano João, reiterated a partnership between the two countries, stressing that Portugal appears in second place in the list of benefits.
“We by no means, in terms of delivery, this Portugal is Angola’s second largest partner, after China”, said the Angolan official, highlighting the position that the two countries have been disputing for the last 10 years.
Mário Caetano stressed that China is the biggest partner, where Portugal is in exports, domain occupies the sixth place.
“In no way do we leave Portugal aside. Portugal is indeed a traditional partnerwhere we have been to find out exactly two essential components of economic diplomacy, which are investments and trade”, he said.
The holder of the Economy and Planning portfolio highlighted that, with Portugal, the Angolan Government To form a partnership in these two aspects, contrary to what happens with other countriesnamely the border areas, where only trade is increased and little investment is made.
Mário Caetano João highlighted as gains the availability by several financial institutions of some resources for the private sector.
“We have the IFC [International Finance Corporation]the private arm of the World Bank, which provided around US$1.2 billion [1,049 mil milhões de euros] for our business community and to date it has approved around 100 million dollars [87,4 milhões de euros]not directly in the real sector, but in the financial sector”, he pointed out.
Mário Caetano João also mentioned the line provided by Deutch Bank with around million dollars (874.4 million euros), with 10 projects already approved, in the amount of 340 million dollars (297.3 million euros).
In Africa, the minister highlighted a line of US$120 million (104.9 million euros), which is being operated by the Savings and Credit Bank (BPC). “This is a summary, as one of the possibilities of economic diplomacy”, he indicated.
During the interaction, some concerns were raised, that is, the old problem granting work visasPedro Godinho as the management office of a qualified workforce, Pedro Godinho as the management office of a qualified workforce, by the president of the Instituto de Presidente de Presidente e Participações (IGAPE).