Africa-Press – Angola. The Government of Belgium has expressed its intention to increase cooperation with Angola in the port, railway and diamond sectors, said this Thursday the outgoing ambassador of that European country, Josef Smets.
According to the Belgian diplomat, who was speaking to the press, after an audience granted to him by the Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço, in the port sector the focus is on training Angolan staff and those from the Southern African region.
The diplomat said it was training for staff aimed at relaunching the Lobito corridor that crosses Angola from west to east, passing through the provinces of Benguela, Huambo, Bié and Moxico.
Josef Smets, who ends his diplomatic mission in Angola after four years, underlined that exports from Angola to Belgium are estimated at 600 million euros, while in the opposite direction they amount to 300 million euros.
Political-diplomatic relations
Political-diplomatic relations between the Republic of Angola and the Kingdom of Belgium began in 1979.
At the top of this partnership is the Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation Agreement, signed on April 26, 1983.
The document defined the regulatory legal framework for bilateral cooperation and established the Joint Commission.
Of note is the General Cooperation Agreement initialed on 26 July 1983, in force since the date of signature.
On July 4, 1988, a Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services was sealed.
This was followed by an agreement on support from Belgium to the fight against trypanosomiasis in Angola, particularly in the province of Cuanza Norte.
economic cooperation
In the economic field, the contract between the Belgian company International Care Service and the Angolan company Unitel, signed in October 2013, stands out.
This is the first 4G roaming contract signed by an Angolan company.
In October (2013) a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between BBVA Brevisco and the Angolan company GEFI – Sociedade de Gestão e Participações Financeiras.
The referred memorandum established the lines for the construction of a factory for the processing of fish, in Benguela.
Industry
In the industrial segment, there is a contract between Cuca and Planet Europe to finance the production of work uniforms and personal protection.
The two countries also cooperate in the field of Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters and in the segment of Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments.
Political-diplomatic relations between the Republic of Angola and the Kingdom of Belgium began in 1979.
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