According to the diplomat – who was speaking in Doha, this Thursday, regarding Angola's presence at the Doha Horticultural Expo 2023 –, the country wants to "establish a business partnership with Qatar, based on a strong economic relationship, to leverage the national economy".
Quoted in a Government statement, to which VerAngola had access, António Ramos da Cruz informed that the increase in bilateral cooperation will be "formalized, shortly, with the signing of an agreement between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Angola (CCIA) and its counterpart in Qatar".
He also said that the Executive is "strongly" engaged in promoting and attracting investment, as well as establishing partnerships that contribute to boosting the diversification of the country's economy, "which is why the embassy has been working to convince Qatar about the potential and business opportunities that Angola offers".
The ambassador also said that he feels "comfortable with the launch of economic cooperation with Qatar, because it has the support, from a diplomatic point of view, of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, who leads the action to promote the diversification process of the country's economy", the statement reads.
He also considered that the offer "will attract" Qatari businesspeople. "Our capacity is great. We think that our offer will attract the Qatari business community", said the diplomat, quoted in the statement.
He left guarantees that the country "protects businesspeople and their investments", in accordance with the principle of reciprocity of advantages.
"For Angola, the advantages are clear and include the diversification of the economy and the creation of jobs, mainly for young people", he said.
Regarding participation in the expo, the diplomat said that the country has been making good contacts, and is well represented at the event.
According to another Government statement, to which VerAngola had access, at the expo – which began on October 2 and runs until March 2024 – the country wants to "demonstrate Angolan agricultural products in a more intense way, with the promotion of a specific week for the presentation of coffee and other products".
The Angolan ambassador to Qatar believes that at the end of the event the "balance will be positive", stating that there is "a lot of interest" from the international business class in getting to know the country.
Considering Angola's financial difficulties, the diplomat "defended the creation of itinerant representatives for each area", with their replacement being possible, for example, after half a year of activity.
He also defended the creation of a single Chamber of Commerce for the Persian Gulf, taking into account the common characteristics of the countries in the region. "Instead of being in every country, the chamber would represent and help to publicize the diversification of the Angolan economy in the best way and we would have a easier situation, because a deal done in Kuwait or Saudi Arabia would be known directly to the members of the Council of Business, represented by several business groups doing business in Qatar", he indicated.
Addressing Angolan businesspeople, the diplomat issued a warning not to "expect cooperation with Qatar, solely and simply, to be an easy way to obtain lines of credit and open financing for their businesses, as, although the Qataris have many possibilities to project structuring investments, in partnership with Angola, there must be some dedication and preparation", the note reads.
He also added that what is needed is not just money, but also "mastery of some doing business practices that Qatar" has.
"We not only need money, but also the mastery of some doing business practices that Qatar has, for Angolan businesspeople to gain partnerships, with a view to moving quickly with the diversification of the national economy", he said, quoted in the statement.
