Luanda: Energy, oil refining, and the exploration and marketing of diamonds are considered the main areas of economic partnership between Angola and Botswana, according to the Minister of State for Economic Coordination, Jos© de Lima Massano. Speaking on Tuesday in Luanda at the opening of the Angola-Botswana Economic Forum, aimed at deepening economic and business relations between the two countries, he said the economies of the two countries are complementary in the agriculture and livestock, fisheries, environmental tourism, transport, and logistics infrastructure sectors.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Jos© de Lima Massano also highlighted financial integration, given its potential to facilitate investment and commercial transactions. He noted the inclusion of the kwanza, Angola's currency, in the SADC payment system reduces the cost and time involved in regional commercial transactions. He further stressed that the planned integration of the pula, Botswana's currency, will create better conditions for expanding business without relying on third parties or requiring complex foreign exchange operations.
The minister said that, in recent years, Angola has implemented far-reaching structural reforms aimed at macroeconomic stabilisation, modernising the legal framework, improving the business environment, and stimulating economic activity in a diversified and socially inclusive manner. Jos© de Lima Massano emphasized that Angola is growing and wants to maintain this momentum to attract more private investment, adding that it was with this objective in mind that his Government invited investors from Botswana to explore opportunities in the national market.
He reiterated the commitment to working jointly with the Botswana authorities to remove any potential barriers and facilitate trade and investment within the framework of bilateral and regional relations.
