The Government of Angola has expressed optimism for increased bilateral cooperation with Uganda, especially in the field of agriculture, with an emphasis on the coffee sector.
This was revealed by the Angolan ambassador, resident in Nairobi, Kenya, Eng. Sianga Abílio, who led a delegation to attend the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit at Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo, Kampala.
Sianga on Monday met Donia Ayebare, Uganda’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), and congratulated the Government of Uganda on the excellent conditions created for this important summit.
Ayebare was elected as the Chair for the Senior officials’ meeting of the 19th NAM summit of heads of states and government.
Others on the Angolan delegation was Ambassador Sara Silva, the director of multilateral affairs at the ministry of external relations of Angola and technical officials.
Angola was one of the countries attending the technical preparatory meetings for the 19th NAM summit.
In an interview, Sianga said the level of organisation and the existent working conditions between the two countries demonstrate the great and positive work carried out by the Ugandan authorities, which, he said, makes us all proud as Africans.
Commenting about the increasing cooperation between Uganda and Angola, he anticipated what he termed as ‘promising bilateral cooperation in the immediate future’, especially in the field of agriculture, with an emphasis on the coffee sector.
Sianga revealed that a team of Ugandan technicians specialised in coffee research recently visited Angola to share their knowledge with Angolan technicians, which, he said, represents the start of an in-depth cooperation Angola is very pleased about.
He expressed conviction that other areas of co-operation could take shape in the near future, such as those in the oil sector.
The ambassador said he has background training as an engineer in petroleum, which he said Angola can utilise to share their vast experience in the sector.
Angola, Sianga said, is also interested in learning about Uganda’s experience in the areas of tourism and higher education. He said this will help promote cooperation between Uganda and Angola.