Africa-Press – Angola. The French President, Emmanuel Macron, announced this Friday the establishment of a new financing tool to support micro, small and medium-sized companies in the agricultural sector in Africa, including Angola.
The instrument, according to Emmanuel Macron, will allow small and medium-sized companies in the agricultural sector to “take off” small African projects structured in various aspects.
Speaking at the end of the Angola/France Economic Forum, which took place from the 2nd to the 3rd of the current month, Macron refers that the aforementioned companies will work with financial institutions such as “Business France” and the French Public Investment Bank (BPIF), with who will develop local production capacities.
“This instrument will make it possible to invest in small and medium-sized companies, precisely to be able to launch small structured African projects”, he advanced, maintaining that the same financial tool will allow for a start-up of production capacities.
In Angola, in particular, he says he wants to contribute “strongly” to the economic partnership and respond to the country’s challenges, with the help of business associations in both countries, without any imposition, but with reciprocal interests.
The French President said it was a good thing that Angola was starting to turn its attention to the diversification of the economy, after dependence on the diamond and oil sectors.
In his view, diversification will improve the business environment, making it more attractive and suitable for international opening.
For this purpose, Mácron points to the professional training process as being fundamental, expressing a partnership in this area, which can be done digitally in several domains.
In this context, he points to agricultural production as one of the ways that will allow an exit from the informal economy, as, in his opinion, it increases the prospects for export and potential, also allowing for food “sovereignty”.
According to Emmanuel Macron, the war between Russia and Ukraine forced the launch, in 2022, of the “Farm” initiative, an experience that will help circulate cereals, inputs and fertilizers in Europe and Africa, as well as support the countries of the continent. cradle to produce.
“It will be a partnership with the engagement of Angola, for an agricultural production that could allow an increase in production levels and exports”, he reinforced.
Within the framework of the partnership established between private sector companies in both countries, priorities have already been defined, such as maize, cassava, soy, cotton, cereals, coffee, livestock, among others.
Available data show that more than 70 French companies operate in Angola.
Oil exports from Angola to France are around US$400 million.
France intends to change and deepen commercial relations with Angola, within the scope of the economic diversification underway in the country.
Priorities include issues related to industrialization, particularly in the fields of logistics, distribution and agribusiness.
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