Luanda – Chinese ambassador to Angola Gong Tao reiterated Wednesday in Luanda his country's continued funding for the completion of works on the New Luanda International Airport.
Named after the first President of Angola, Dr. António Agostinho Neto, the infrastructure which is estimated at USD 1.4 billion, is in charge of the Chinese state company Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC).
Speaking to the press, after a meeting with President João Lourenço, the diplomat also assured his country's government funding for the construction of the Caculo Cabaça hydroelectric dam, in the northern province of Cuanza Norte, aimed to reduce the country's electricity consumption deficit by 66 percent, generating a power of 5,700 megawatts.
The outgoing ambassador of China announced the meeting of the Joint Economic Commission Angola/China for this month (August), to assess bilateral cooperation.
As for the meeting with the Angolan Head of State, he said it served to analyse the Angola-China strategic partnership and reaffirm the will to continue supporting the Angolan State in the process of economic diversification.
The ambassador, who said goodbye to the Angolan President, after four-year term, reiterated the Asian country's total commitment to encouraging Chinese businessmen to invest in Angola in the sectors of industry, agriculture, fisheries, minerals and tourism .
So far, China is Angola's biggest trading partner, biggest export market and an important source of investment.
In sub-Saharan Africa, Angola is the second largest trading partner and the largest exporter of oil to the Chinese market.
Angola is the African country that received the most loans from China, having reached USD 42 billion in the last 20 years.
Audience to the French Ambassador
Still Wednesday, the Angolan Statesman João Lourenço also received, in audience, the outgoing French ambassador to the country, Daniel Vosgien.
The diplomat reaffirmed the priorities in cooperation in the areas of agriculture, agri-food, education, industry, professional training and higher education.
“The French government is available to support Angola in its programme on diversification of its economy”, said the diplomat, who represented his country for three years in Angola.
France’s diplomatic relations with Angola date backs to the independence of this country on November 11, 1975.
The first, an agreement signed in 1982, laid the foundations for bilateral cooperation with one of the country's main economic partners.
More than 70 French companies operate in Angola and provide around 10,000 jobs. AFL/AL/ADR/NIC
