How is the Angolan President Enhancing Ties with India in Pharma, Agriculture, and Renewable Energy?

New Delhi, May 4 (NationPress) Angolan President Goncalves Lourenco emphasized the importance of fostering collaboration between India and Angola across various sectors, notably in the pharmaceutical industry, agriculture, and renewable energy.

"We are convinced that this transformation can only be genuinely sustainable when backed by robust, equitable, and innovative partnerships. Undoubtedly, India’s business vigor, technological prowess, and ability to innovate are attributes that Angola highly appreciates and desires to embrace," Lourenco stated during his speech at the India-Angola Business Forum held in New Delhi.

He highlighted that the bond between Angola and India is founded on a strong legal and institutional framework, established over years of collaboration.

"The current bilateral agreements—spanning health, energy, financial services, and diplomatic mobility—demonstrate both nations’ dedication to a structured, transparent, and mutually advantageous partnership," he added.

The President pointed out Angola’s advantageous geographical position, offering significant access to regional markets through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This situation allows Angola to serve as a logistics and industrial hub for Indian businesses aiming to expand across the African continent.

He emphasized that substantial investments in transport and logistics infrastructure, such as the Lobito Corridor, create immense opportunities for regional value chains.

"We urge Indian entrepreneurs to investigate these logistical prospects that can place Angola at the forefront of their export strategies—for both Africa and the global market," he remarked.

The forum also featured remarks from Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, who highlighted India's strengths that have established it as a prominent investment destination.

"Looking ahead, there are numerous priority sectors where collaboration can be strengthened. In the energy domain, we can develop oil and gas infrastructure and collaborate on clean energy initiatives. Additionally, in education and skills development, India can significantly contribute to education and capacity building through advanced training programs and an increase in scholarships," he stated.

CII President Sanjiv Puri addressed the potential opportunities between India and Angola, mentioning, "Angola boasts a robust mining sector and ranks as the third-largest diamond producer in Africa. The country is also rich in critical minerals such as copper, gold, uranium, lead, and zinc."

"I genuinely believe that joint exploration in diamond processing and other essential minerals could create a critical minerals value chain, potentially influencing key sectors like renewable energy and electric vehicle manufacturing," he added.

A panel discussion among industry representatives from both nations took place at the forum, covering various areas for collaboration, including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and energy transition.