Regarding the project that will connect Angola and Zambia by rail, the government official said that the country is working on the conditions to lay the first stone of this project by 2026, as part of the development of the Lobito Corridor.
According to the head of the Transport Ministry, this investment will be driven by the private sector and is valued at 4.5 billion dollars for 800 kilometers of railway line.
Speaking at a business meeting between Angola, France and Portugal, cited by Angop, Ricardo D'Abreu highlighted that this investment aims to maximize the potential of infrastructures, as well as ensuring higher standards in their management and operation.
The Lobito Corridor, he emphasized, is currently one of Angola's main projects, which has been able to attract the attention of investors for the benefit of the progress of the national and regional economy, as well as international trade.
Still regarding the railway sector, the minister reported that there are public initiatives, such as the requalification of the section between Zenza and Cacuso, which are seen as relevant for the Northern Corridor, in addition to the border areas, namely in the province of Zaire and in the Eastern region (Lundas Norte and Sul), writes Angop.
Ricardo D'Abreu also highlighted progress regarding the Luanda Surface Metro project, having reaffirmed that the first stone for this project will be laid this year.
On the occasion, according to Angop, he also spoke about aviation, highlighting that it is the sector that has made the most progress in terms of reforms, having been able to secure investment in infrastructure and equipment essential for its development, with emphasis on the new António Agostinho Neto International Airport, which already has more than half (56 percent) of the commercial areas occupied by private projects.
"Aviation was not chosen by chance. As we all know, within the scope of economic diversification, the Angolan Executive chose tourism as a fundamental pillar for the dynamism of our economy", he added, having also pointed out that another of the sector's investments that he manages has been related to the logistics sector, with some relevant initiatives and an approach focused on agribusiness, aiming to ensure that production reaches markets and consumers in good condition, thus contradicting the African statistics in which more than half (70 percent) of production is not fully utilized.
He also appealed to businessmen from Portugal and France to integrate the Angolan market, towards the country's progress, adding that "the responsibility for diversifying Angola's economy is not just the Government's, it is also a collective responsibility".
