Chinese businesspeople are interested in increasing the transport of various goods from the interior and neighboring countries to the international market, through the Benguela Railway (CFB) and the Port of Lobito, said Tuesday, the Chinese ambassador to Angola , Gong Tao.
Speaking to journalists, at the end of a visit to the region, Chinese diplomat Gong Tao considers the Port of Lobito and the Benguela Railway to be ideal companies to provide a logistical service for the transport of goods, particularly from abroad to Angola. , from the coast to the interior and to neighboring countries and vice versa.
Among the companies from that Asian country, eyeing partnerships with companies in the Lobito Corridor, are, according to Angop, China Harbor Engineearing Corporation, responsible for the requalification of the Port of Lobito in 2013, Costo and Sinotrans, focused on logistics, especially in rail and maritime transport.
For the ambassador, the goods and raw materials produced, whether within Angola or in neighboring countries [chamados encravados, a RDC e Zâmbia]can use this CFB and Porto corridor to reach the international market, including China.
Gong Tao revealed that the objective of these future business partnerships will be to “cultivate a market” for the proper functioning of port and railway companies in the aforementioned corridor, through the transport of goods, including ore from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“I am interested in promoting commercial cooperation between Chinese companies and Angolan partners”, highlighted the Chinese diplomat, optimistic that there is a very “bright” prospect for future partnerships, “because we have different advantages, we can take advantage and have the common development”.
The ambassador also explained that this commercial cooperation, foreseen in the “rail and sea” transport chain, will enable the interconnection of the Lobito Corridor to the interior and neighboring countries, guaranteeing better access to the international market.
This is why he assured that China has companies to carry out this logistics service, and it is up to them to meet with Angolan partners, namely the CFB and Porto do Lobito, and jointly study the possibilities and ways of cooperation.
However, Gong Tao warns that these partnerships must follow the “market operating rules”, that is, market demand will be decisive for Chinese companies to be able to provide these logistics services, in the rail and sea/port transport segment. .
In any case, it guarantees that Chinese companies are willing to participate in this process, to help with the economic and social development of both Angola and neighboring countries in Southern Africa and also bring benefits to China and the rest of the world.
On the other hand, the diplomat also admitted the possibility of several other Chinese businessmen entering the Benguela province market in sectors such as industry, agriculture and fishing, as part of the diversification of the economy.
Accompanied by Chinese businesspeople and officials from the Chinese Embassy in Angola, Gong Tao chose the province of Benguela for his first official visit since being accredited in the country, on 9 May, by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço.
Source: Angop