Oslo – Angolan head of State João Lourenço Thursday in Oslo, Norway, encouraged the local investors to invest in Angola and participate in the ongoing diversification of the economy underway in Angola.
Speaking at the Angola-Norway Business Forum, as part of his two-day visit to that European country, João Lourenço said that Angola is open to private investment.
At the time, the President of the Republic spoke of the measures taken by the Executive to improve the business environment in the country to ensure attraction of private investment, its affirmation and development.
Among these measures, João Lourenço highlighted, from a legislative point of view, the approval of the new Private Investment Law, which he considered more attractive and better in terms of protecting the foreign investment.
In his speech, he underlined the ongoing full or partial privatisation of some large and medium-sized public companies, including the oil sector, telecommunications and others, having stressed the transparency of the process.
The president mentioned that, within the framework of this process, 94 companies had already been privatised, stressing that the programme foresees the partial privatisation of the national air carrier TAAG, Endiama (prospecting, exploration and commercialisation of diamonds), as well as the oil company Sonangol.
"This programme makes a great opportunity for Norwegian businesspeople and for a closer partnership with Angola", expressed the Angolan Head of State.
The President also highlighted the approval of the competition law, aimed at combating monopolies and facilitating free competition among economic agents, with benefits for the economy, customers, consumers and users.
The President highlighted the commitment of the Government in the fight against corruption and impunity and money laundering, which he considered evils that plague Angolan society.
According to João Lourenço, the new Private Investment Law does not oblige foreign investors to join national partnerships, adding that it is up to them to do so if they understand that it is better for that specific business, ensuring that the investment is welcome within the law's framework.
To the Norwegian businesspeople, João Lourenço also said that Angola has great potential, with large natural resources, plenty of arable land, a vast hydrographic network, important mineral reserves with great potential for development.
