Luanda - Angolan and French private sector companies Thursday night signed a partnership agreement for the development of new actions in the agricultural and agro-food sector, in the framework of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement was signed by representatives of MEDEF International, the Alfa group, the businessmen club France and Angola (CEFA), on the French side, and on the Angolan side, the Agricultural Association of Angola (AAPA) and Agricultural Professionals (Aprofagro).
The agreement signed at the end of the Angola/France business forum, served to launch the partnership in the agricultural and agro-food sector between the two countries.
The partnership aims to mobilise funding mechanisms dedicated to African companies in the agricultural and livestock sector and to encourage the creation and development of new instruments to meet the challenges of the sector in Angola.
Among other interests, the agreement also paves the way for the identification of joint opportunities, particularly for maize and soy production, proposing global solutions to be implemented including the structuring of funding schemes.
The parties agree on the need to ensure a six-monthly evaluation of the legal tool including a systematic review of the progress of the proposed actions.
In the first phase, products such as cassava, maize, cotton, cereals, peanuts, coffee, fruits, vegetables and the breeding of cattle and pigs, poultry and fish are the focus of attention.
With this agreement, the French private sector wants to help in the development of the agricultural sector in Angola and the valorization of production, in partnership with local players in current and future projects.
Investment Opportunities
Wanderley Ribeiro, AAPA president, said that many opportunities for investment have been identified, with emphasis on genetic improvement of animals and improved seeds to meet current demand.
"We are also looking for opportunities to export fruit. We have identified cases of fruit that are already being exported to France", the Angolan businessman said.
To the Angolan businessman Adérito Costa, the forum served to identify new French partners, having noted the government's efforts to revitalize the agricultural sector.
