Africa-Press – Angola. Angola will rely on Botswana’s experience in the production, processing and marketing of diamonds, announced this Friday, in Gaborone, President João Lourenço.
The Angolan Head of State expressed this intention at the start of official talks between delegations from both countries, within the framework of the State visit to Botswana.
In his speech, João Lourenço highlighted the reforms implemented in the diamond sector in that southern African country and considered an example to be followed by Angola.
“It was a revolution”, said the Angolan President, referring to the reforms that placed Botswana among the largest diamond producers in the world.
Currently, Botswana’s diamond production accounts for around 60 percent of its exports.
The country registers an annual average of around 26 million carats, being the second largest producer of diamonds in the world, after Russia, and the first in cut.
João Lourenço considered it fundamental that Angola and Botswana share some infrastructure, mainly economic.
The Angolan statesman took the opportunity to propose that the country, independent since 1966, join Angola as co-owner (shareholder) of the Lobito Refinery, under construction in the Angolan province of Benguela.
This is a unit that is designed to refine up to 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day, and should be the largest in the country.
The construction of the Lobito Refinery aims, among other aspects, to gradually eliminate the current dependence on the import of refined products, mainly gasoline and diesel.
Still with regard to infrastructure, the President of the Republic was in favor of sharing with the states of the region the surplus of their production in electricity.
In the case of Botswana, the Head of Executive Power said that this intention should be materialized through the border province of Cuando Cubango.
In the transport segment, the Angolan statesman expressed Angola’s interest in intensifying bilateral cooperation, with a view to restocking cattle in Angola.
On the occasion, the Angolan President announced the opening, in the short term, of an air link between the cities of Luanda (Angola) and Gaborone (Botswana).
At the press conference after the meeting, João Lourenço expressed Angola’s interest in cooperating with Botswana in the production of beef and in the field of nature conservation, fundamentally in the management of national parks.
As for the Bilateral Joint Commission, the Angolan statesman made known that the next one should take place in the Angolan capital, on a date to be agreed by both States.
President João Lourenço has been making, since Thursday (20), a state visit to Botswana, with the end scheduled for Saturday (22).
The two countries have as potential areas of cooperation the sectors of diamonds, education, health and environment.
Angola and Botswana established diplomatic relations on February 18, 1976.
In February 2006, the two countries signed a General Cooperation Agreement.
In cooperation between Angola and Botswana, the diamond sector is a priority, along with education, health and the environment.
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