Luanda – Luanda - The United States of America intends to be Angola's continued choice in the economic partnership to strengthen relations between the two countries, the US ambassador to the country, Tulinabo Mushingi, said on Friday in Luanda.
When speaking at the second US-Angola Business Forum, at the Luanda International Fair (FILDA 2024), which ends on Sunday (28), he stressed that the bilateral relationship between the two countries continues to expand in several areas, with emphasis on trade and attracting North American investment.
"In addition to the oil sector, American investment in other key sectors, such as agribusiness, information and digital technology, transport infrastructure, energy and health, sectors that will help diversify the Angolan economy", he highlighted.
On the occasion, Tulinabo Mushingi recalled that, during the US-Africa Business Summit, held in May this year, the US Export-Import Bank finalized three historic transactions with Angola, valued at more than one billion dollars, the first of which was for USD 900, intended to support the construction of two solar power plants in the country.
The diplomat said that the project, upon completion, will generate more than 500 megawatts of renewable energy, meaning greater access to clean energy and electricity in Angola and will be an added value in the business environment.
He continued, the second transaction, worth US$ 363 million, will be used for 186 prefabricated modular steel bridges, for the construction of this type of infrastructure in all provinces of Angola, ensuring improved connections, reduced travel times, as well as boosting economic activity and facilitating mobility.
The Ambassador recalled that the latest agreement, signed with Gates Air, was a transaction worth US$42 million, for the digitalisation and expansion of the signal of Angola’s National Public Radio Broadcasting (Rádio Nacional de Angola), expected to reach around 95 percent of the Angolan population.
In the same vein, the ambassador also highlighted that, in April 2023, in Washington, the Angolan Minister of Transport initiated a bilateral “Open Skies” agreement, which aims to increase air connectivity between the US and Angola. He predicted that this agreement will generate new opportunities for trade, tourism and investment.
He also added that Boeing and the Angolan Airline, TAAG, announced an agreement to purchase 10 new 787s, valued at US$3.6 billion, a testament to the growing bilateral trade relations in the aviation sector. According to Tulinabo Mushingi, these investments, together with those already existing, as a result of the bilateral partnership, are transforming Angola into a regional air transport hub.
The fourth day of FILDA is being dedicated to the USA, with a business forum bringing together investors from both countries.
Today's programme also includes topics such as "Economic zones:
Implementation of infrastructures for economic development and diversification towards sustainability", "The role of tourism in the economic development of Angola" and "Challenges and opportunities for licensing commercial activities with a simplified process".
FILDA, which has more than 1,350 exhibitors than in the previous edition, is the largest showcase for national promotion, business development and job creation. In fact, the international nature of the event also has a fingerprint on the promotion of economic diversification.
The 39th edition of FILDA is being held under the motto "Food security and international partnership: the binomial of economic diversification", in an area of 144,000 square meters, 42,000 of which are leisure exhibition space.
Its holding in the Special Economic Zone is a direct or indirect invitation to invest in Angola. This edition of the fair will feature the participation of countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, the USA, South Korea and Turkey. CPM/QCB/TED/DOJ
