Luanda - An Exchange of Notes Agreement for a new non-refundable concession in the field of mineral resources was signed Tuesday in the Province of Luanda by the governments of Angola and Japan.
This is a donation from the Japanese government to Angola, with the aim of leveraging and boosting the implementation of projects and programmes in the country's mining sector.
The signatories of the legal instrument, on the Angolan side, were the secretary of State for International Cooperation and Angolan Communities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Domingos Vieira Lopes, and the Japanese ambassador to Angola, Suzuki Toru.
On the occasion, Domingos Vieira Lopes said that the amount was estimated at USD 3 million to support various programmes and projects of the Geological Institute of Angola, of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas (MIREMPET).
He emphasised that the exchange of notes is a formality widely used in diplomacy to confirm the signing of cooperation agreements and, in this case, it involved the supply of specific material to carry out the planned activities, adding that cooperation with Japan has involved support in other fields from agriculture to energy and water, telecommunications and technical assistance.
The official highlighted the fact that the agreement on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments has already been signed, which will eventually allow more Japanese investors to enter the country.
In turn, the Japanese ambassador, Suzuki Toru, said that the agreement will provide to the institute several analysis equipment with modern sensors that will be used in geological studies throughout the country.
He added that his country has contributed to Angola's social and economic development by providing financial assistance for demining and, above all, medical equipment.
Suzuki Toru stressed that this cooperation includes the concept of partners growing together with the aim to boost the economic development of Angolan and to serve as guider for future investments.
Angola and Japan have a solid cooperation in the political, diplomatic, economic, business, training, health, telecommunications and information technology fields, among others.
VIC/MRA/jmc
