The government official, who was speaking at the end of the first meeting of the Agency’s Committee of Transport Ministers, held in Lobito, stated that it will promote commercial exchanges, experience, investment opportunities and leverage initiatives that benefit these three countries and peoples.
Speaking to the press, Ricardo D’Abreu recalled the date of the creation of the agreement, in January this year, highlighting the presence of presidents João Lourenço, of Angola, Felix Tshisekedi, of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Hakainde Hichilema, of Zambia, in this city .
He referred to financing from the United States of America and the European Union, regarding the expansion of the Lobito Corridor, as well as road and telecommunications projects.
Ricardo D’Abreu said that there is a set of infrastructures that count on financing from international financial institutions for the development of the Lobito Corridor, such as the African Development Bank and the Africa Financial Coorporation, which can have an indirect contribution, mainly in the field of logistics.
According to the minister, this can encourage another number of initiatives and other factors in the economy such as industries and services.
“We think we are right in ensuring that this Corridor becomes very important, not only in the context of the three countries, but also in the region and the world”, he highlighted.
Regarding the concession of the multipurpose terminal at Porto do Lobito to Africa Global Logistics, he said that the involvement of the private sector is fundamental to the Executive’s strategy.
“We must understand that the private sector provides guarantees, not only regarding efficiency in operations and services, but also in the profitability of companies, from January 2024”, he clarified.
About Lobito Atlantic Railway, the consortium that operates the Lobito Corridor, confirmed that it is already working, guaranteeing that next year will be one of “taking flight, in the most practical sense”.
As for Catumbela International Airport, it also confirmed its certification for the first quarter of 2024.
“We plan to guarantee intermodality in all branches of the airport sector, a fundamental piece, and from Catumbela, not only passenger connections will be guaranteed, but also cargo transportation.
He said that last week the first stone was laid for the construction of a logistics platform in Caála, Huambo, which will relaunch agribusiness and products from there will also be able to transit through Catumbela International Airport.
“At this moment, at the provincial level we are starting to feel very clear signs of what accommodation, accommodation and transport are, including in the real estate sector”, considered the minister. TC/CRB