Africa-Press – Angola. President João Lourenço encouraged on Tuesday in Luanda, Portuguese companies to invest more in the industrial, agricultural, and fishing sectors, rather than simply trading in Angola.
In an interview with the Portuguese television network CNN Portugal, the Head of State emphasized that some Portuguese companies, which for many years limited themselves to selling products in the Angolan market, have now decided to produce those same products locally.
“They set up factories and are doing here what they used to do there, employing Portuguese citizens. Today, they are employing Angolan citizens because they are producing in Angola,” he stated.
João Lourenço said that support for Portuguese investment should essentially come from private investment, in contrast to what has happened in the opposite direction.
“Angolan investment in Portugal, unfortunately, was mostly public. The aggravating factor was that the money belonged to the state, but the ownership was registered as private, in favor of A, B, or C—which is even more serious,” he said.
As the only exception, he pointed to Sonangol’s public stake in BCP (Banco Comercial Português), an investment that remains the Angolan state.
“In the remaining cases, such as EFACEC, the funds used were state funds, but some clever individuals put the investment in their own name. This tarnished Angola’s image,” he lamented.
Justice and Isabel dos Santos Case
The Angolan President considered that the actions of the judicial authorities of Portugal and the Netherlands in the case involving Isabel dos Santos demonstrate that the justice system is fulfilling its role.
According to João Lourenço, there is no evidence that the Portuguese or Dutch justice system is motivated by political persecution, adding that the judicial systems continue to function, awaiting the outcome of the respective cases.
He stated that, although the case involving the dos Santos family initially seemed delicate, the presumption of innocence must always be respected as a principle of the rule of law.
“A person should not be investigated based on their parentage. What should be investigated is the veracity of the accusations. The important thing is not to rule out the possibility of criminal liability solely for personal or family reasons,” he observed.
He concluded by stating that, once they reach the age of majority, citizens are responsible for their own actions, regardless of their origins or family ties.
“Even if Isabel dos Santos’ investments were facilitated, this does not exempt her from criminal liability,” he emphasized.
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