The head of state, who is in Paris as part of a state visit to France, where he has already met with his counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, was speaking this Friday at the Angola-France Business Forum that brings together businesspeople and investors from both countries. countries.
The day before, France and Angola signed cooperation and investment contracts worth a total of 430 million euros, in the sectors of water, irrigation, meteorology and health, among others.
João Lourenço highlighted the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between the two countries and stressed that “the world is currently experiencing a decisive moment to redefine the paradigms of economic growth and international cooperation”.
In this context, he pointed to France as a “crucial strategic partner to support Angola on the path to economic diversification”, while Angola “offers unique investment opportunities”, highlighting its abundant natural resources and strategic location for access to regional and global markets.
“The strengthening of public-private partnerships, combined with a favorable business environment, will be essential for concrete results to be achieved,” he stressed, adding that Angola has created conditions to promote competitiveness, entrepreneurship and innovation, reducing the role of State in the economy and investing in the expansion of transport and logistics networks.
Among the emblematic projects, he highlighted the Lobito Corridor, involving Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, with a direct impact “on strategic sectors such as agro-industry, mining and energy, areas in which Angola has substantial comparative advantages”.
João Lourenço pointed out that the partnership with France and, in general, with the European Union “assumes increasing relevance”, giving as an example the Global Gateway initiative that improves connectivity and infrastructure, and the Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement. .
“This is a great moment for us to consolidate these opportunities, through public-private partnerships and direct cooperation between companies from both countries,” he said, emphasizing the Government’s commitment to continue with “essential reforms to simplify and streamline the implementation processes of the private investment, the dynamization of financial capital markets and the continuous improvement of the business environment”.