LUANDA: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and President João Manuel Lourenço of the Republic of Angola held a bilateral meeting at the Presidential Palace in the capital, Luanda, on Friday.
During the meeting, the cordial relations between the two countries and the means of enhancing them were reviewed in a manner that secures further mutual benefits for the two countries’ peoples, and the latest developments on the international arena and issues of mutual interest were discussed.
Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, and Téte António, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Angola, presented a briefing on the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Thereafter, an expanded official session of talks was held, attended by the Omani official delegation and a number of officials from the Angolan side. The session explored fields of cooperation between the two countries, encompassing domains of industry, mining, energy, clean energy, ports, maritime transport, logistics services, agriculture, food security and fisheries.
The President of Angola delivered an address in which he renewed his welcome to His Majesty the Sultan and his accompanying official delegation, expressing the hope that this visit would be crowned with the realisation of further aspirations and investments.
The President of Angola affirmed that this historic visit represents an advanced executive stage for broadening the shared economic, investment and commercial partnership. He noted the direct positive outcomes of bilateral cooperation, embodied in the opening of the African Bank of Oman in Luanda this year and the entry of Omani companies into mineral mining investments in Angola. He further noted the exploration of future cooperation horizons for private investment opportunities in the agriculture, fisheries, mineral resources, oil and gas and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors.
His Majesty the Sultan delivered an address on this occasion, reading as follows:
"Excellency President João Manuel Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, distinguished guests,
"It is our great pleasure to be here in the capital of your historic country. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude for your warm reception and generous hospitality extended to me and my delegation.
"We also would like to express our great satisfaction with the development of relations between our two countries. We highly appreciate your personal interest and your government efforts in developing the economic partnership between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Angola.
"This visit aims to continue the constructive dialogue and the consultations we have held with Your Excellency during your visit to Oman. We would like to express our satisfaction with the constructive consultations we have held together, which have led to launching a new chapter of strategic partnership during that visit.
"This visit also reaffirms our strong commitment and full support for further developing these relations, which have witnessed a significant growth in recent years in economic, business and investment sectors. Accompanying me on this visit are several ministers responsible for these sectors, who are keen to explore further opportunities for cooperation.
"Your Excellency,
"We look forward to achieving our joint vision and greatly increasing the volume of the trade in the years to come, although it does not reflect currently the strength of our economic partnership. The agreements and memoranda of understanding signed during this visit, which have a total value of more than $1.5 billion, provide a strong foundation and create lasting opportunities for our peoples. Therefore, we encourage all relevant parties from the public and private sectors in both countries to maintain their efforts in order to explore the opportunities of this partnership and to empower businesspersons to benefit from the promising business and investment opportunities, which will bring to both countries prosperity, security and overall well-being.
"We also look with great optimism toward promising prospects and partnership in the fields of oil, mining, food security, maritime and air transport as well as other sectors, thereby contributing to economic diversification in both nations.
"Now that the Technical Cooperation Programme agreement has been signed, I hope that its outcome will extend beyond the programme itself and bring tangible benefits to the Angolan people. This programme, and initiatives of this kind, will help build strong and lasting bonds between the people of our two countries, reflecting our broader strategy for international cooperation.
"Your Excellency,
"Allow me once again to express my deep appreciation for the warm reception and generous hospitality. We also look forward to the continuation of mutual visits and constructive dialogue to further strengthen our ties and enhance the spirit of cooperation between our two countries.
We extend our sincere wishes to the friendly Angolan people for continued progress and prosperity and to our relations for ever-greater strength and growth.
"Thank you”. — ONA
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