Africa-Press – Angola. The secretary of State for Trade and Services, Augusta Fortes, highlighted on Thursday (12) in Poland the ongoing political, economic, and social reforms in Angola, aimed at improving the business environment.
Speaking at the opening of the Second Poland-Angola Economic Congress, the official stressed that the reform program has allowed, among other things, the simplification and reduction of bureaucracy in procedures linked to imports and exports, as well as attracting quality and specialized private investments.
She emphasized that the political stability the country has experienced in recent years, and in the face of regional and global challenges, has initiated a new phase of development with the reorganization and modernization of the organs of sovereignty, the recovery and construction of social infrastructure, and the training of personnel nationwide.
Additionally, she mentioned that the country has adopted a new visa policy, and the best way to reduce costs to facilitate trade, without unbalancing public revenues, is being studied.
Augusta Fortes also spoke about the ratification of the WTO-Trade Facilitation Agreement, adding that other efforts are being combined for the implementation of the SADC Free Trade Area and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
In this context, she foresees the opening of business opportunities, with emphasis on the expansion of production chains, the strengthening of industrialization, the development of regional value chains and the increase in foreign direct investment.
On the other hand, she mentioned Angola’s privileged position on the continent, its natural resources and port infrastructure, which allows the country to establish itself as a benchmark logistics and industrial platform in Southern and Central Africa.
During her intervention, she mentioned that exploratory discussions are underway with the Directorate-General for Trade of the European Commission, so that Angola can begin negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreement of the European Union, in the SADC-EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement) configuration, factors that could boost trade liberalization at the regional, continental and European Economic Community levels.
In addition to international commitments in various areas, she continued, the country has initiated a cycle of legal and institutional reforms that culminated in the review and amendment of the legal framework related to private investment and the adoption of a law on competition and public procurement.
The official pointed to Poland as a strategic country for establishing partnerships in the fields of techs and industry, with the creation, expansion and consolidation of a production network suitable for both parties.
In the area of bilateral economic relations, she acknowledged that the volume of trade between Angola and Poland remains below its existing potential, with a trade balance that is still limited.
She understands that this context should be seen as a clear opportunity for change, stating that Angola intends to evolve towards a more balanced economic relationship, based on productive investment, co-production, local industrialization, and integration into regional and global value chains.
To this end, she expressed Angola’s willingness to absorb Poland’s experience in matters of economic skills and technological progress.
In turn, the Angolan Ambassador to Poland, Manuel Pedro Chaves, said that the Congress represents a starting point for new investments, business partnerships, new forms of academic and scientific cooperation, towards a more significant presence and participation of Polish businesses in the development of the country.
He reiterated Angola’s interest in establishing itself as a reliable, predictable partner committed to legal stability, investment protection, and the creation of an increasingly favorable business environment.
Under the motto “Closer to Bilateral Cooperation,” the 2nd Poland-Angola Economic Congress was promoted by the Poland-Angola Chamber of Commerce.
On the sidelines of the event, the Secretary of State for Trade and Services was received in audience by the Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Development and Techs, Michał Baranowski, with whom she discussed issues linked to strengthening cooperation, knowledge transfer, techs, and trade between the two countries.
