Africa-Press – Angola. The Chinese presence and collaboration at various levels of the State and companies have been crucial, aiming at the industrialization of Angola, said in Beijing (China), the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rui Minguês.
In an interview with the Chinese state agency Xinhua, the Angolan official expressed gratitude for China’s strong support in post-war reconstruction and the construction of new infrastructure.
Rui Minguêns highlighted that the participation and presence of Chinese companies and financial resources were fundamental for the initial recovery of the destroyed infrastructure, such as bridges, roads, power transmission lines and water supply systems.
“All of them are necessary infrastructures for economic and social development in general, but, in particular, necessary for our industry”, he informed.
He considered that, after the restoration of infrastructure, Angola witnessed investments from Chinese private companies in various industrial sectors, bringing new vitality and showing Angola’s industrial potential to the world.
“The fact is that, at the moment, the biggest private investors in Angola are probably Chinese investors. They are the best example that in Angola it is possible to invest, create jobs, establish industries and allow entrepreneurs to obtain profits in a honest,” he said.
More than 400 Chinese companies operate in Angola, with investments exceeding USD 24 billion (1 dollar is worth Kz 832). Many of these companies are involved in industrial production, running factories that produce building materials, plastics, everyday products, steel, batteries, and other items.
“I was very impressed with the level of development I found in Chinese society and I found the model that China has of being able to industrialize to be interesting, bringing large sections of the population into the industry that were previously only rural populations”, he revealed.
Rui Miguêns believes that China’s high-tech manufacturing and industrial development have benefited ordinary families, thus improving people’s lives.
Angola, he pointed out, can learn from China’s industrialization experience in order to improve the income of its people.
Since China and Angola established diplomatic relations 41 years ago, the country has emerged as this Asian nation’s second largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade reaching USD 23 billion in 2023.
Chinese companies have rebuilt or built new 2,800 kilometers of railways, 20,000 kilometers of roads, more than 100,000 social housing units, more than 100 schools and more than 50 hospitals in the southern African country.
He highlighted that in the last decade cooperation between China and Angola, within the scope of the Belt and Road Initiative, has produced fruitful results, describing the initiative as promoting economic and social development on the African continent, helping Africa to integrate into global trade.
To this end, according to the minister, this allows nations to leverage their capabilities and potential, ultimately aiming for global well-being.
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