The president of the Association of Brazilian Businessmen and Executives in Angola, Raimundo Lima, highlights that Brazil, with its vast global experience, can play a crucial role in the diversification of the Angolan economy, with emphasis on the agricultural sector
With the presence of the Brazilian President on Angolan soil, Raimundo Lima considers that with the great experience that Brazil has in terms of the agricultural sector and which is recognized worldwide, Angola can benefit from the new winds of cooperation. He points out as an example the fact that the South American country is one of the largest producers of grains, beef, pork and poultry, opening up the window of opportunity for technicians to bring technical knowledge, with the know-how they have and, in this way, , contribute to the increase of local productivity .
He announced that while President Lula da Silva is visiting Angola, a delegation from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) is meeting with local businessmen in the sector, a meeting that Raimundo Lima believes will be important for the exchange of experience, with a focus on increasing of agricultural production. “This is essential because the country is highly dependent on food imports”, he underlined.
Raimundo Lima stressed that if there were local production of food products, it would significantly reduce dependence on imports, bringing relief to the accounts in foreign currency, which he considers the major problem that Angola faces today.
The head of the Association of Brazilian Businessmen and Executives said that this new phase of the bilateral relationship has great potential to boost trade and cooperation between the two countries. Both, he continued, share the status of emerging economies and have a diversity of sectors that can benefit each other.
Currently, Brazil mainly exports manufactured goods to Angola, including electronic equipment, vehicles, processed food and machinery. In contrast, Angola is an important supplier of crude oil to Brazil. However, he emphasized that there is ample room to diversify and expand this commercial relationship, exploring opportunities in other sectors.
food safety
One of these sectors of mutual interest is agribusiness, with Angola importing a large amount of food, and Brazil is known for its vast experience and technology in this field. Investments and partnerships in agribusiness can significantly contribute to Angola’s food security and agricultural development. In addition, the official underlined that the infrastructure sector also offers promising opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties.
Angola is currently involved in a process of rebuilding and modernizing its transport, energy and communications structures. However, he warns that it is essential to recognize that the development of these bilateral relations faces significant challenges, in view of issues such as bureaucracy, trade barriers and logistical difficulties that may hinder the advancement of trade opportunities between the two countries. “Overcoming these obstacles and creating an environment conducive to cooperation and mutual investment is a priority.
In short, relations between Angola and Brazil have considerable potential to boost bilateral trade and cooperation,” he said. In 2022, the trade balance closed at 1.4 billion dollars. Raimundo Lima highlights exports between the two countries from January to July 2023 as positive, which have already reached 871 million, representing a growth of 64% compared to the same period of 2022.
BY: Francesca Parente
