Luanda – Japan Government reiterated Wednesday in Luanda its will to continue supporting Angola in the demining process, as part of bilateral cooperation.
Japan’s availability was expressed by its ambassador to Angola, Maruhashi Jiro, when speaking at the end of an audience granted by the Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço.
After presenting farewell greetings to the Angolan President, the Japanese diplomat said that within the framework of cooperation with Angola, his country continues to implement projects in the sectors of Health, Education and Agriculture.
Speaking to the press, Maruhashi Jiro, who is at the end of his mission, the next ambassador will carry on many projects that have not ended.
The Japanese diplomat stated that the emergence of Covid-19 made some development programmes, outlined by Japanese Government for Angola, unfeasible.
Volume of business
Maruhashi Jiro put at USD 50 million the turnover in the field of trade between Angola and Japan, but he considered low as compared to other countries.
He highlighted the importance of the development project for the Port of Namibe, being carried out by the Japanese company Toyota, estimated at US$600 million.
He added that the referred works consist of the modernisation and expansion of the Port of Namibe, with a focus on increasing the berthing capacity, handling ships and goods.
The diplomat said that the works are expected to be completed within the next three years.
Angola and Japan Cooperation
Bilateral cooperation between Angola and Japan began in 1988 as Emergency Aid, via the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef).
After the end of the war in 2002, Japan started to cooperate with Angola in Assistance to Demining Areas, Social Reinsertion of Ex-Soldiers and Reintegration of Refugees.
Angola and Japan cooperate in the sectors of Health, Technical Assistance, Staff Training and donation of Hospital Material.
The two countries’ cooperation includes the sectors of Food Assistance, Agriculture, Water, Education and Telecommunications.
Source: Angola Press News Agency