Luanda - The UK's outgoing ambassador to Angola, Roger Stringer, said Wednesday in Luanda that the volume of business between the two countries has tripled in recent years and that cooperation relations are currently “stronger”.
The diplomat, who was speaking to the press at the end of an audience with the Angolan president, João Lourenço, said the two governments have a “strong” economic partnership, and that the turnover in 2021 was approximately three billion pounds.
Roger Stringer, who ended his mission in Angola after three years as a diplomat in the country, said he was pleased to have worked to strengthen diplomatic, political, economic and commercial relations.
As regards to the UK's participation in the Lobito Corridor, in Benguela province, the diplomat said his government has been particularly supportive of this important infrastructure project.
Angola and the United Kingdom established diplomatic relations in1975, following national independence on November 11 of the same year.
Cooperation has strengthened over the last few decades, with a focus on various areas such as the economy, trade, education, defense and sustainable development.
The UK is one of the biggest foreign investors in Angola, particularly in the oil and gas sector. Companies such as BP (British Petroleum) have a significant presence in the country.
Angola mainly exports oil and by-products to the UK, while importing products such as industrial equipment, vehicles and pharmaceuticals.
The areas of cooperation demonstrate a multifaceted relationship, with both countries trying to expand their partnerships beyond the traditional sectors towards more sustainable and diversified economic development.
In the defense and security sectors, the European country has collaborated with Angola providing military training and combating piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, as well as in demining, supporting Angolan initiatives to remove landmines. AFL/VIC /AMP
