\Brasilia: An Angolan delegation convened with officials from Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Farming as part of the Productive Agricultural Investment Program, aiming to enhance and develop Angola's agricultural sector.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the meeting signified the initiation of technical sessions in Brazil to formulate a bilateral cooperation model. This model focuses on promoting private investment, technology transfer, and sharing technical expertise in agricultural production. The initiative stems from collaboration between Brazilian and Angolan government institutions.
The Angolan delegation's presence in Brazil is a step towards consolidating the longstanding strategic partnership between Luanda and Braslia, which has been ongoing since Brazil's recognition of Angola's independence in 1975. The bilateral cooperation has gained momentum, particularly after Brazilian President Luiz In¡cio Lula da Silva's visit to Angola in August 2023, which revitalized the Strategic Partnership.
The cooperation plan under discussion includes large-scale agricultural projects in Angola, providing up to 500,000 hectares of arable land for grain and other strategic crop production, involving Brazilian producers and financial institutions from both countries. Brazilian institutions like the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and Banco do Brasil may offer financing for exporting agricultural machinery and technologies to Angola.
Technical cooperation will also involve the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), known for its expertise in tropical agriculture technology, crucial for modernizing Angola's agricultural sector. Angola intends to create favorable conditions for investors, granting land use rights for up to 60 years and integrating local communities into agricultural projects.
The program includes a pilot project of 20,000 hectares for grain production, with an estimated investment of 124 million US dollars, financed by Brazilian banks, Angolan institutions, and the Angolan Sovereign Fund. The Angolan delegation's visit to Brazil underscores Luanda and Brasilia's commitment to deepening their strategic partnership and exploring new avenues for investment and agricultural development within the Portuguese-speaking community.
