This appeal was conveyed by João Lourenço at the beginning of the plenary meeting between the Portuguese and Angolan governments, at the Presidential Palace in Luanda, in a brief speech that he dedicated to the analysis of Portuguese-Angolan bilateral cooperation.
Before the Prime Minister, António Costa, took the floor, João Lourenço began by pointing out that “cooperation with Portugal has a scope that covers practically all sectors of Angolan national life, with a dynamic that he considered positive and that is just not currently larger because of the constraints caused by covid-19.
“Portuguese private investors have the advantage over others of a common language, a cross between families and a vast knowledge of our culture, our habits and customs. This is capital that is not measurable and should not be wasted”, warned the head of state.
He then specified that the Government "would like to see greater direct investment by Portuguese entrepreneurs in agribusiness, hotels, tourism, civil construction or commerce, the textile or footwear industry".
“Processes of privatization of State assets are underway, for which Portuguese businessmen can qualify”, he added, before also addressing one of the most sensitive issues in Luso-Angolan bilateral relations and which is related to the issue of State debt to companies national.
“We want to resolve the debt issue as soon as possible to reassure men and women who bet on the Angolan market,” he said.
Regarding the meeting with the Prime Minister, the head of state noted that there was an “opportunity to take stock of the bilateral relationship and to project future actions to be implemented, in order to make friendship relations even more robust, economic cooperation and scientific and cultural exchange”.
“Relations between our countries have vast untapped potential. I cannot fail to mention that the citizens of our two countries are always very attentive to events taking place on both sides – and especially at a time like this when talks are taking place at the highest level and concrete results are awaiting”, he pointed out.
In this context, João Lourenço defended “the strengthening of cultural, academic, technical and scientific exchange”.
“The 2023/2027 Strategic Cooperation Program (PEC) contains a wide range of important actions to be implemented. I believe that we will know how to impress enough commitment and dedication on achieving these objectives, which will produce concrete results. It is essential to increase resources to sustain the projects under consideration, namely for Portugal to be associated with the construction of important Angolan infrastructures”, he added.
