Luanda: The Canadian ambassador to Angola, Anderson Blanc, reaffirmed Tuesday in Luanda his country's support for the national strategy for implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Addressing the workshop on the National Strategy and Action Plan for the Implementation of the AfCFTA in Angola, Blanc emphasized that the initiative offers an opportunity to strengthen the private sector and integrate regional and continental value chains.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the ambassador highlighted that in a time of global uncertainty, regional integration is not merely an economic opportunity but a strategic necessity. Angola's ongoing reforms, particularly concerning the Lobito Corridor, are said to enhance regional connectivity and contribute to creating a competitive business environment.
Blanc stated that Canada is eager to share its experience, particularly in the modernization of digital trade systems and regulatory cooperation. Through international cooperation programs, Canada supports AfCFTA processes and is ready to collaborate with Angola on trade facilitation systems, partnerships for regulatory alignment, export preparation, and capacity-building programs for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The workshop on the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area in Angola was organized by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. The event gathered representatives from international agencies, business associations, chambers of commerce and industry, and academics. During the event, the opportunities and challenges for Angola in the AfCFTA, strategy, and implementation plan were discussed.
