Lubango - African ambassadors accredited to Angola Monday expressed interest in identifying investment opportunities in the fields of tourism and agriculture in the southern Huíla province, deemed to be potential.
These are diplomats from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Uganda, Mauritania, Ghana, Cabo Verde, Kenya, Nigeria, Mozambique, Eritrea, Zambia, Algeria and Rwanda.
The group's visit aims to explore and share trade and investment opportunities among other potential areas of mutual cooperation.
The diplomat expressed interest in learning of experience in the province's tourist attractions, as well as the culture of the Huila population.
Speaking after an audience with the governor of Huíla, Nuno Mahapi, the head of the delegation, Lawrence Chalungumana, said that the team chose to promote trade and investment in Huíla, including agriculture, which is one of the focuses, as it is a development sector in any area.
The Zambian ambassador also stated that Africa has fertile and arable soils, so with agriculture it is possible to advance in terms of knowledge sharing, as a solution to reduce inflation in Africa.
He said that his country is already self-sufficient in seed production, adding that agriculture is used to diversify its economy.
He highlighted the Lobito Corridor as one of the opportunities for Zambia, in which the heads of state agreed to develop such a corridor that involves his country, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola, to facilitate the export of products.
The diplomat pointed out that 40 percent of Zambia's production is done domestically, suggesting the need to work on institutionalising single currencies to facilitate transactions among them.
Lawrence Chalungumana stressed that tourism is another area that has potential because it is renewing itself and they are also in Huíla to promote tourism.
“ We are about to establish lasting cooperation. Africa is a rich continent, hence our orientation towards economic diplomacy”, he stressed.
In turn, the governor of Huíla, Nuno Mahapi, noted that the province has vast potential and with the meeting they have an opportunity to outline development strategies in the listed areas.
With regard to agriculture, he said that Huíla has arable soils, pointing out as a priority in the partnership, as they have to work to feed Africa, along with tourism.
“Meetings are always important and this is expected to strengthen relations, as well as opportunities to do business in the development of the province”, he underlined.
The two-day visit of the African ambassadors accredited to Angola includes visit the Moçâmedes Railway, Metalosul and Hipermáquinas, the last located in the municipality of Chibia as well as other projects.
On Wednesday, the delegation, headed by Lawrence Chalungumana, will make similar visit to Namibe. EM/MS/NIC
