Africa-Press – Angola. The Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Domingos Vieira Lopes, defended, on Thursday, in Abuja, Federative Republic of Nigeria, the establishment of more “radical” diplomatic, economic and commercial relations that, effectively, can transform the lives of their people.
Speaking at the opening of the 1st Interactive Diplomatic Forum on Sustainable Business, organized by the Angolan embassy in Nigeria, Domingos Vieira Lopes, who represented the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António, described the event as a sovereign opportunity to cement investments in sectors that generate employment and social stability.
He pointed out that, in the last three years (2020/2022), the value of goods exports from Angola to Nigeria was estimated at 5.6 million dollars and its import stood at 16.8 million dollars, corresponding to a negative trade balance of around 11.2 million dollars.
In this sense, the Secretary of State for International Cooperation expressed the country’s openness to foreign investors in the sectors of agriculture, manufacturing industry, civil construction, hotels and tourism, banking, finance and insurance, telecommunications, oil and gas, as well as infrastructure. logistical structures, with a focus on the new Luanda international airport.
Nigeria available
The Minister of Information and National Guidance, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, while speaking at the Forum, made it clear that Nigeria is very interested in supporting all of Angola’s internal and external aspirations for the country’s overall development.
“In fact, we expect reciprocity in this regard, the progress of one is the progress of all”, he highlighted.
The official revealed that the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding on Public Communication and Media Exchange is underway, as a demonstration of the sign of bilateral alignment to deepen the relationship between the two States.
For Alhaji Idris, Angola and Nigeria need to establish strong and deep connections for a strong common position on the continent and on the global stage.
Business Council sworn in
The Diplomatic and Business Forum brought together, in Abuja, the elite of the Oil and Gas Industry, Banking, Mining and business leaders from Angola and Nigeria.
On the occasion, Ambassador José Bamóquina Zau inaugurated the Business Council of the Angolan Embassy in Nigeria, which is an advisory body on the best paths and practices to promote ethical and sustainable business between the two countries within the framework of economic and investment diplomacy.
The Council is chaired by the Nigerian Princess Fifi Ejindu (businesswoman and winner of the 2023 African Women Entrepreneurs Award), whose vice-presidents are Angolan businessmen António Henriques da Silva and Bento dos Santos.
The organization is also made up of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Angola and Nigeria, as well as senator Grace FOLASHADE, businesswoman Sabena JOHANNES, among other guests.
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