Without advancing specific deadlines and the likely value of the contract, the head of state recalled that negotiations had already started, but ended up being interrupted due to economic constraints.
"At the beginning of my mandate, we started negotiating with Boeing to buy more aircraft, but, at the time, we encountered a constraint that was linked to debt limits. Angola's public debt was very large", said João Lourenço , cited by Angop.
Speaking at a business roundtable with US businessmen, held on the sidelines of the US-Africa Leaders Summit, the head of state explained that at the time international financial entities asked Angola for prudence so as not to exceed the limits of public debt. However, he added, once this issue is passed, there are circumstances to resume negotiations with the American Boeing aimed at acquiring new planes and renewing the TAAG fleet.
Cited by Angop, he referred that among the reasons justifying this reinforcement of the fleet is the start-up of the new airport in Luanda next year, adding that in his view it is important that the flagship airline's fleet is in accordance with the relevance and size of the new airport.
Still at the round table, João Lourenço reiterated the country's interest in American investment, leaving an invitation to businessmen in that country to continue with investments in Angola outside the fields of oil and energy.
Cited by Angop, he referred that the country is open to American investment in the sectors of agriculture and tourism, which he considered to have great exploration potential, as well as in the field of minerals, with no need to focus on diamonds, and in the area of conservation, among others. other aspects.
Still on the first day of work, the President of the Republic held meetings with the president of Chevron for Africa and the Middle East, Robert Clay Neff, and with the USAID administrator, Samantha Power.
