A source from the Regulatory Agency of Certification of Cargo and Logistics of Angola (ARCCLA), cited by Angop, said that the total value of the project has not yet been defined. However, he made it known that Angola's financial participation in the construction of the logistics center will be guaranteed by the business community.
This co-financing was formalized on Thursday with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Ministry of Transport.
According to Angop, this agreement establishes not only the co-financing, but also foresees the transfer of knowledge and training on treatment, conditioning and packing of fruits and vegetables to be exported.
On the occasion, Marc Léon Mazarac, Minister Counselor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Angola, confirmed the existence of a line of up to 60 million euros to co-finance the project, which will be supported by the Dutch Foreign Investment Agency.
The official, cited by Angop, indicated that the two countries have an identical geography for being bathed by the sea. For the Minister Counselor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Angola, the geographic position is seen as an asset, since the entry of Angola into the European market can be made through the Netherlands via the Port of Rotterdam.
"Lobito has the same conditions, that is, it is the gateway for the entry and exit of many products to and from Angola, as well as from landlocked countries such as DRC and Zambia," he said.
Marc Léon Mazarac explained that this agreement will allow the Netherlands to help Angola develop its logistics network and, thus, make its exports more profitable and evolve.
The official also stressed that in the future it is expected that the logistics center will be able to benefit a large number of producers.
"We have already visited eight large-scale farms that can produce for Holland, but we also want small integrated producers," he revealed.
Ricardo de Abreu, Minister of Transport, indicated that this initiative has in its sights the development of the country's network of logistic platforms.
The minister highlighted the investment being made in the Lobito Corridor, admitting that this plays a crucial role in facilitating the trade sector and improving the business environment in the country.
Ricardo de Abreu took the opportunity to ask those involved in the project to commit themselves so that the first stone for the construction of this center can be laid this year.
The presence of the Netherlands in the European Union market drew Angola's attention. According to the minister, the European country occupies top positions in the European market, which makes it an ideal partner.
He also explained that the first steps of the partnership took place in 2018. "After more than two years, the study was completed, and the opportunities for value chain development for the export of fruit from the Lobito Corridor were identified," he said.
The Lobito Corridor Logistics Center will serve to store, pack, transform and package the products.
