Huambo - The Minister for Africa of the United Kingdom Foreign Office, Lord Raymond Collins, reiterated on Thursday his country's intention to work with the Angolan government on the Lobito Corridor development project
The Lobito Corridor is an alternative strategic route to the export markets of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the shortest route connecting the main mining regions of these two countries to the sea.
The project extends from the Port of Lobito, bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, and crosses Angola from West to East, passing through the provinces of Benguela, Huambo, Bié and Moxico, also covering the mining areas of the province of Katanga, in the DRC, and Copperbelt, in Zambia
Speaking to the press, after an audience with the governor of Huambo province, Pereira Alfredo, Lord Raymond Collins, said it is a corridor with fantastic opportunities and his country is interested in bringing more investments to develop it.
He stressed that Angola is a very important country for the United Kingdom in terms of economic development, as well as for peace and stability in Southern Africa.
He expressed his satisfaction that the Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço, is working on the ceasefire between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, a difficult pacification process, which is important for the Lobito Corridor.
With these efforts in investments in strategic miners, the Lobito Corridor will become a success, as there will be more bets on agriculture and other industries, which can attract foreign entrepreneurs in various areas.
He stressed that if the Lobito Corridor is working satisfactorily, many Angolan agricultural products will be exported, with a focus on diversifying the local economy.
On investments in education in the country, Lord Raymond Collins stressed that Angola has a young population and the United Kingdom is determined to establish partnership and support in new areas, such as education to promote the employability of this social fringe.
For his part, the governor of Huambo province, Pereira Alfredo, said he had informed the British delegation about the investment opportunities in this region of Angola.
He stressed that the United Kingdom has expressed its intention to do everything to help the province of Huambo in attracting investments in the fields of mining, agriculture, staff training, installation of industries and other potential, for local development.
According to the work program, a visit to the demining company The Halo Trust, Caála Logistics Platform and the Rare Earth miner project in the municipality of Longonjo is scheduled for Friday. ZZN/JSV/ALH/DOJ
