Beijing - The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rui Minguês, said in Beinjing (China) that Chinese presence and collaboration at various levels of the state and companies has been crucial for Angola's industrialization.
In an interview with Chinese state news agency Xinhua, the Angolan official expressed his gratitude for China's strong support in post-war reconstruction and the construction of new infrastructure.
Rui Minguêns said the participation and presence of Chinese companies and financial resources were fundamental to the initial recovery of destroyed infrastructure such as bridges, roads, power transmission lines and water supply systems.
"These are all infrastructures that are necessary for economic and social development in general, but particularly necessary for our industry," he said.
Minguês added that after the restoration of the infrastructure, Angola witnessed investments by private Chinese companies in various industrial sectors, bringing new vitality and showing the country’s industrial potential to the world.
"The fact is that, at the moment, the biggest private investors in Angola are probably Chinese investors. They are the best example that in Angola it is possible to invest, create jobs, establish industries and allow entrepreneurs to make profits in an honest way," the minister said.
Over 400 Chinese companies currently operate in Angola, with investments totaling more than 24 billion US dollars. Many of these companies are involved in industrial production running factories that produce construction materials, plastics, everyday products, steel, batteries and other items.
"I was very impressed with the level of development I found in Chinese society and I found it interesting that China has managed to industrialize it, bringing large sections of the population into industry that were previously only rural," he said.
Rui Miguêns believes that China's high-tech manufacturing and industrial development have benefited ordinary families, thus improving people's lives.
Angola, he pointed out, can learn from China's industrialization experience in order to improve the income of its people.
Since China and Angola established diplomatic relations 41 years ago, the country has emerged as China's second largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade reaching 23 billion US dollars by 2023.
Chinese companies have rebuilt or built 2,800 kilometres of railways, 20,000 kilometres of roads, more than 100,000 social housing units, over 100 schools and more than 50 hospitals in the southern African country.
Rui Minguês emphasised that over the last decade cooperation between China and Angola under the Belt and Road Initiative has produced fruitful results, describing the initiative as promoting economic and social development on the African continent, helping it to integrate into global trade.
According to the minister, it allows nations to leverage their capacities and potential, ultimately aiming at global well-being. FMA/SC/DAN/AMP
