Luanda, ANGOLA, September 18 - The Portuguese Prime Minister Ántonio Costa defended Tuesday the implementation of balanced relations with Angola, coupled with common interests in order to attain a strategic partnership. ,

 

António Costa was speaking at the opening ceremony "Angola/Portugal Economic Forum" under the motto "for a strategic partnership" , as part of his two-day visit to Angola, started last Monday.

 

Angola is Portugal's main partner in Africa, said the Portuguese premier, who defended the need to create the best legal framework so that, among other things, the two countries’ companies can invest to generate wealth, jobs and ensure production.

 

The official referred that 25 percent of Portuguese companies export products to Angola.

 

According to him, this fact reveals the strengthening of economic relations between the two countries, despite the world crisis of the last decade.

 

Ántonio Costa, who welcomed the increase of exports by 12% in 2017, predicted upturn in exports this year.

 

He expressed his interest in helping Angola in the stability and diversification of the economy, with priority to education as crucial for its development.

 

The Portuguese Prime Minister said that in response to the ambition of the new political cycle in Angola, the agriculture sector of both countries will sign an agreement on technical cooperation for 2019/2021 to enhance the Angolan potential.

 

He said that this is an opportunity to reinforce Angola's economic autonomy, and an opportunity for those who want to invest and collaborate in the development of the Angolan-Portuguese partner.

 

Expressing the mutual opening to the Angolan investment in Portugal, the Portuguese official stressed the importance for creation of conditions of trust and a good business environment to ensure certain comfort among the economic agents.

 

António Costa congratulated the approval of the private investment and competition laws in Angola.

 

Under his official visit to Angola, the Portuguese prime minister announced the increase of the credit line to support exports, from 1 billion Euros to 1.5 billion Euros for the country.

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