Benguela - The British government has said it will provide more than four billion US dollars for investment projects in Angola to support the development of agriculture and tourism, ANGOP learned on Thursday.
The announcement was made by the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Angola, Bharat Joshi, following a meeting with the Governor of Benguela Province, Manuel Nunes Júnior, during which relations between the two countries were discussed, with emphasis on economic cooperation.
According to the Ambassador, the investment of more than four billion dollars, already available through the UK Export Finance Agency, represents the UK's commitment to support Angola's development.
Among the priority sectors for financial support from the British government, Bharat Joshi highlighted infrastructure, agriculture with a focus on fruit production, human resource training and tourism to expand partnerships.
The ambassador said that trade between Angola and the United Kingdom continues to be increasingly dynamic, noting that last year was very important for British companies operating in the country.
Regarding the trade between Angola and the United Kingdom, which has increased in recent years by more than nine billion pounds, equivalent to 11 billion U.S. dollars, the ambassador said that there is British investment practically everywhere in the Angolan territory.
"We see a lot of investment from British companies in Angola everywhere, including in the new Cabinda International Airport project," said the ambassador, guaranteeing that there will be more British investment this year.
One billion dollars from the UK on its way to Benguela
The British ambassador also revealed that the province of Benguela is due to receive one billion US dollars in investments in various projects, mainly agriculture and tourism.
"I am very pleased with my first visit outside Luanda and we discussed with the Governor of Benguela the work that British companies are already doing in this beautiful and dynamic region," said the Ambassador.
Specifically, he explained that the 1 billion US dollars earmarked for Benguela Province is part of the more than 4 billion US dollars made available by UK Export Finance.
Regarding the Lobito Corridor logistics project, Bharat Joshi acknowledged its potential, although he made it clear that the UK wanted to explore more areas, as Benguela Province has many opportunities for British companies outside of this rail corridor.
As part of the diversification of the Angolan economy, the UK is a potential partner in agriculture, energy, infrastructure, health and financial services.
In the oil sector, to give just one example, the UK is a strategic partner through British Petroleum (BP), one of the largest foreign investors in Angola, with more than 30 billion US dollars invested by the end of 2018.
Angola and the United Kingdom established diplomatic relations in 1975, following Angola's independence on November 11 of that year.
Today, the mining, gas, oil and financial sectors are at the heart of economic relations between the two countries.JH/CRB/DAN
