Luanda - Angolan head of State João Lourenço received Monday the President and Chair of the Board of Directors of Export-Import Bank of the United States (Eximbank) Reta Jo Lewis to discuss cooperation between Angola and the United States, in particular projects funded by the financial institution.
Speaking to the press at the end of the meeting, the US Eximbank boss said that the audience also focused on strengthening and deepening economic relations between the two countries, as part of mutual advantages.
She said that the institution has been involved in Angola since 1942, adding that the US Eximbank last June granted US$900 million to Angola to support the construction of two photovoltaic solar power plants in the country.
The funding was described as the largest transaction made by the bank so far in the field of renewable energy, as part of the Joe Biden administration's support for global infrastructure and investment.
In office since February 2022, Reta Jo Lewis said the move represents the strength of cooperation and ties between the two countries.
Earlier this year (2023), the Angolan Ministry of Finance and the US Eximbank signed a USD 2 billion financing deal for renewable energy production in Angola.
In 2014, Eximbank signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Angolan government to finance trade and infrastructure using the bank's financing tools.
The document identifies several economic sectors, including energy, infrastructure, railways, roads, mining, telecommunications, agriculture, construction and environmental equipment, as well as water and sanitation projects.
Since the signing of the Memorandum, Eximbank has provided financial support to Angola for the purchase of Boeing aircraft by TAAG, the Angolan Airline , and two fire trucks, manufactured by the US company Oshkosh, for the National Air Navigation Company (ENNA).
Through Eximbank, the US government works globally with public and private sector buyers to facilitate the acquisition of equipment and technology from the United States.
Eximbank is the official lending agency of the Federal Government of the United States of America.
It was established by Congress on 2 February 1934 to finance and guarantee commodity purchases for customers unable or unwilling to accept the risks of credit at a time when private investment was shrinking. AFL/AL/ADR/DAN/NIC
