Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Angola are committed to enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors and exploring new avenues for collaboration that align with their mutual interests, thereby establishing robust and promising strategic partnerships.
The forthcoming official visit of President Joao Lourenco of Angola to Oman this Thursday marks a significant advancement in the political relations and cooperative efforts between the two nations. This visit is also a crucial step towards strengthening trade and economic connections that benefit both parties.
In the context of their bilateral relations, several visits have occurred recently, facilitating closer ties and identifying opportunities for collaboration and partnership. Notably, HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, visited Angola in May 2024, where a cooperation agreement focused on investment was signed.
Additionally, a delegation from the State Council traveled to Angola in October 2023 to engage in the 147th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Oman and Angola have recently begun to cultivate their economic and trade relations, although there are currently no formal agreements or memoranda of understanding in place, which is evident in the trade and investment figures between the two countries.
Trade statistics indicate that the exchange of goods between Oman and Angola reached approximately RO 3.2 million by the end of 2023, a significant increase from RO 1.3 million in 2022, reflecting a growth of 145.1 percent. The trade balance for 2023 favored Oman, resulting in a surplus of about RO 1.9 million.
Statistics from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) reveal that Omani exports to the Republic of Angola exceeded RO 3 million in 2023, a significant increase from RO 1.3 million in 2022, representing a growth of 131.9 percent. This rise is primarily due to the export of electrical cables to Angola.
Furthermore, trade between the two nations reached approximately RO 1.97 million in the first ten months of 2024, with Omani exports to Angola valued at RO 1.9 million and imports from Angola totaling RO 69,400.
Regarding Angolan investment in Oman, there are currently two registered companies with Angolan participation as of September 2024. The invested capital has grown from RO 24,000 in 2023 to RO 44,000 by September 2024, marking an increase of 83.3 percent. While this indicates a growing interest among Angolans in establishing businesses in Oman, the overall number of companies and the total invested capital remain relatively modest.
Ali Said Al Kathiri, Head of the Sultanate of Oman’s Mission to the Republic of South Africa, stated to Oman News Agency (ONA) that the upcoming official visit of the Angolan President to Oman is expected to enhance economic and trade collaboration, as it will identify joint investment opportunities in sectors such as energy, mining, agriculture, and industry.
He emphasized the potential for signing agreements or memoranda of understanding that could facilitate trade and open markets between the two countries. Additionally, he noted that the visit would foster cooperation in the energy sector through the exchange of expertise in oil, gas, and renewable energy, as well as exploring joint investment opportunities in energy and sustainability projects. Al Kathiri also mentioned that the visit would help strengthen cultural and educational ties.
He emphasized that the visit would enhance political and diplomatic collaboration through discussions on various regional and international matters, highlighting the mutual goal of both countries to strengthen cooperation within international organizations to support shared interests.
He elaborated that key areas of collaboration include infrastructure and transportation, as both parties will explore partnership opportunities in infrastructure initiatives, the development of ports and logistics services, and the improvement of maritime and air connections to facilitate trade and tourism.
Al Kathiri remarked that the bilateral relations between Oman and Angola are friendly and full of potential, although they remain in the early stages of development compared to Oman’s relationships with other nations.
He stressed the importance of building bilateral relations on a strong foundation, sharing a vision rooted in mutual respect and a commitment to enhancing economic and developmental partnerships.
While acknowledging that trade between the two countries is currently limited, Al Kathiri noted significant opportunities for growth in several shared sectors, asserting that the promotion of cooperation aligns with international and regional frameworks that serve common interests and bolster stability in both Africa and the Middle East.
He highlighted the numerous lucrative investment opportunities available between Oman and Angola, particularly in natural resources.
He further stated that the Sultanate of Oman possesses extensive experience in managing oil resources and renewable energy, enabling it to offer innovative technologies and expertise that can enhance productivity and sustainability in Angola, a major oil producer in Africa.
In the mining sector, the Head of the Mission remarked that Omani companies have the opportunity to engage in mining initiatives and enhance the infrastructure associated with this industry, particularly as Angola is endowed with abundant resources and valuable minerals, including diamonds, gold, and copper.
He emphasized that food security represents a significant area for collaboration between the two nations. He noted that Angola possesses fertile agricultural land and a favorable climate for cultivating a variety of crops, while Oman presents a growing market for agricultural goods. Joint efforts in this domain would bolster food security for both countries.
Furthermore, he indicated that Oman and Angola aim to improve maritime connectivity to facilitate trade, strengthen economic ties, develop sustainable tourism, enhance tourism infrastructure, and share expertise in tourism marketing. They also aspire to collaborate in food processing and heavy industries, focusing on increasing the added value of their natural resources.
Ambassador Ali Said Al Kathiri, who leads the Sultanate of Oman’s Mission to the Republic of South Africa, highlighted the potential for Oman and Angola to become strategic partners in boosting regional and international trade, particularly through their extensive ports and logistics capabilities.
Dr. Frederico Cardoso, the Ambassador of Angola to Oman, expressed that the upcoming visit of President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço to Oman, along with his discussions with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, will serve as a clear indication from the highest officials of both nations regarding their mutual interest in strengthening bilateral relations and establishing direct communication channels, as well as effective institutional and legal frameworks for cooperation, which will transform their intentions into tangible outcomes.
In a statement to Oman News Agency, the ambassador noted that the official visit of the President of Angola to the Sultanate of Oman represents the culmination of significant actions previously undertaken in the bilateral sphere, serving as a strong impetus to further enhance the bonds of friendship between the governments and peoples of both nations.
He emphasized that as members and partners in various international organizations, the relationship between the Republic of Angola and the Sultanate of Oman has consistently been founded on principles of mutual respect, friendship, and cordiality.
The ambassador further elaborated that the recent dynamics of global change and the array of challenges faced have prompted both countries to explore and implement new strategies to address ongoing issues. Many of these strategies focus on strengthening bilateral relations by identifying the complementary aspects of their economies, ensuring reciprocal benefits, and fostering sustainable, long-term collaborations.
He concluded his remarks to ONA by stating that these elements form the basis of the relationship being cultivated by the leaders of the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Angola, encompassing critical areas such as political engagement, economic diversification, mining, finance, oil and gas, renewable energy, agriculture, tourism, logistics, food security, transportation, new technologies, telecommunications, and beyond.
