Diaspora’s Role in Angola’s Development Recognised by Ambassador

Angola: Angola's ambassador to the United Kingdom, José Patrício, on Saturday in Coventry and Birmingham recognised the importance of harnessing the knowledge and skills of Angolan citizens living abroad to support the country's development. The diplomat made the remarks during a consultation visit to Angolan communities residing in the two British cities on Friday and Saturday, aimed at strengthening ties between the diplomatic mission and Angolan nationals. According to Angola Press News Agency, José Patrício said it was necessary for the diaspora to have greater representation in national statistics in order to provide a clearer understanding of its skills, activities and contributions to Angola. During the meeting in Coventry, he stressed that the country needs the knowledge, experience and efforts of all Angolans to drive economic growth, particularly in sectors such as tourism and agriculture. The ambassador also called on families to guide young people away from crime and encourage behaviour that sup ports their positive integration into society. For his part, the president of the Angolans United in Coventry Association, Emanuel Matias Sebastio, presented the organisation's portfolio of projects and activities to the diplomat, highlighting initiatives aimed at promoting cultural and patriotic values, as well as cohesion and solidarity among community members. "Angolans in Coventry are law-abiding workers and contribute to the city's social life," he said. Among the concerns raised by the community was the need to establish housing credit mechanisms that would enable Angolans living abroad to purchase property in Angola. Emanuel Matias Sebastio also called for greater ease in transferring financial resources to the country and said that the community in the United Kingdom was maintaining contacts with Angolan banks to identify mechanisms that could facilitate such transactions. The community leader described the ambassador's visit as highly significant, as it reflected closer engagement between the State and Angolan communities residing in the United Kingdom. José Patrício listened to and noted the concerns raised, expressing his willingness to engage with the relevant institutions in the search for solutions to the issues presented. The meeting in Coventry concluded with a social gathering featuring Angolan cuisine, dance and music, including performances by two Angolan artists residing in the United Kingdom. In Birmingham, the Angolan community expressed its commitment to establishing an association and strengthening unity and cohesion among Angolan citizens residing in the city. During the meeting, community members shared their professional, academic and social experiences, highlighting their dedication to education and the maintenance of ties with Angola. Both meetings were attended by community leaders, including the presidents of the Confederation of Angolan Associations in the United Kingdom (CAARU), the Union of Angolans in the United Kingdom (UARU) and Woman Voice, as well as businesspeople from t he community. The mission was accompanied by Ambassador's spouse Maria Dolores Patrício and diplomats from the Embassy of Angola in the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and Ireland. The visit to Coventry and Birmingham forms part of the diplomatic mission's efforts to strengthen engagement with Angolan communities and recognise their role in reinforcing ties between the diaspora and the country.