Nuno Sampaio, who ended a three-day visit to Angola on Friday, gave a "very positive" assessment of the visit that took in the provinces of Luanda and Huíla, highlighting the link between cooperation and the role of companies in professional training.
"It is essential, in this year that marks the 50th anniversary of Angola's independence, that we work together and strengthen the connection between Portugal and Angola in all dimensions," he declared.
Portugal wants to continue to play a relevant role in the new European project that succeeds RETFOP (Revitalization of Technical Education and Professional Training in Angola), in conjunction with Angolan and European partners, he said, highlighting the presence of Portuguese companies in the Angolan reality.
"Vocational training is a pillar for the development of any country and is one of the pillars of cooperation between Portugal and Angola, both bilaterally and multilaterally," said Nuno Sampaio.
The Portuguese Secretary of State highlighted the great opportunity that opens up in the Lobito Corridor, where "several training ideas are already being considered" and there are already Portuguese companies providing training.
Within the scope of the future European program, one of the objectives, he added, will be to contribute to a center of excellence for professional training aimed at the Lobito Corridor.
Despite acknowledging that there are difficulties and that the Angolan economy "is not going through one of its most vigorous moments", he stated that Portuguese companies have been in the Angolan market for a long time and "are very resilient".
"But I would say that one of the paths we have to take is to ensure that the business environment is increasingly conducive to companies that are here continuing to develop their activity, being able to make new investments and having the capacity to attract new companies", he said, stressing that Portugal will "continue to work together with the Angolan authorities".
Nuno Sampaio indicated that there are cooperation projects in the area of justice to improve the business environment and legal security so that companies can develop their activity and feel attracted to invest in Angola.
In addition to economic issues, matters related to mobility were also discussed with the Angolan authorities, both in terms of visas and the bilateral agreement on Social Security that has not yet come into force, he said.
"What I can say is that the Portuguese State is committed to ensuring that mobility within the CPLP and, here in particular, mobility between Angola and Portugal becomes increasingly agile and increasingly a reality," the official told Lusa, stressing the commitment to "eliminating some difficulties" that persist, without implementing steps taken in this direction.
