President Luong Cuong's state visit will lay solid foundation for new phase of bilateral ties: Angolan Ambassador
WVR - On the eve of President Luong Cuong's State visit to Angola, Angolan Ambassador to Vietnam Fernando Miguel shared with The World & Vietnam Report his expectations for the historic visit for bilateral relations as well as the potential for economic cooperation between the two countries in the coming time.
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| President Luong Cuong received Angolan Ambassador to Vietnam Fernando Miguel on April 24, 2025. (Source: VNA) |
Could you explain the significance of State visit of President Luong Cuong to Angola for bilateral relations?
The State visit of President Luong Cuong to Angola is extremely significant, marking a milestone in the history of the traditional friendship between our two countries. This is the highest-level visit by a Vietnamese leader to Angola in nearly two decades and comes at a time when both countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1975-2025). This underscores both the importance and symbolic value of the event. The visit not only demonstrates Vietnam’s respect for its relationship with Angola but also creates new political momentum, promoting comprehensive bilateral cooperation across all fields.
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| Angolan Ambassador to Vietnam Fernando Miguel. (Source: Angolan Embassy in Vietnam) |
During the visit, both sides will sign several important cooperation documents and hold high-level meetings, as well as meetings between ministries, agencies, and businesses. This will be an opportunity to review the implementation of existing agreements, identify new priorities, and establish a favorable legal framework for future cooperation initiatives.
I am confident that this visit will lay a solid foundation for a new phase of development in the relations between our two countries, not only politically but also economically and culturally.
How do you assess the potential for economic cooperation between the two countries in the near future, especially after this important visit?
The potential for economic cooperation between Angola and Vietnam is very large and promising, though it has not yet been fully exploited according to the actual capacities and needs of each side.
With a population of nearly 36 million, Angola is one of the largest consumer markets in Africa, particularly for consumer goods, processed agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, and technological equipment. Additionally, Angola is rich in natural resources, including abundant mineral deposits, tropical timber, large areas of arable land, and many valuable river basins, providing favourable conditions for production investment activities.
Vietnam, on the other hand, has many competitive advantages in manufacturing, processing, and exporting products suitable for Angola’s consumer market, laying a solid foundation to enhance trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
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| A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam led by Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation Nguyen Trong Nghia visited and worked in Angola in May 2024. (Source: VNA) |
In recent years, bilateral trade has fluctuated around 150-200 million USD per year, yet this is still modest compared to the actual potential. Sectors such as oil and gas, telecommunications, agriculture, healthcare, and vocational training are of particular interest to Angola, and Vietnam has extensive practical experience in these areas.
Efforts by both sides to negotiate and sign important agreements, such as the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, and memoranda of understanding on trade, agriculture, and industry, will create favorable legal frameworks for businesses to invest with confidence and expand long-term cooperation.
Moreover, Angola is implementing its National Development Strategy for 2023-2027, focusing on industrialization, sustainable agriculture, and digital transformation. These are areas where Vietnam has practical strengths and experience and can share knowledge through “joint development” models rather than merely trading goods. I believe that following this visit, we will witness a new wave of practical and effective bilateral economic cooperation.
How do you evaluate the role of the Vietnamese business community in Angola and current potential investment opportunities?
The Vietnamese business community in Angola, mostly small and medium-sized enterprises, has played an important role as a bridge in promoting economic and trade relations between the two countries. Vietnam currently has the largest overseas Vietnamese community in Angola and the largest Vietnamese community in Africa, with nearly 8,000 people living and working mainly in the capital Luanda and surrounding provinces.
They operate in various fields, including construction, trade, services, electronics, education, and healthcare. The diligence, creativity, and adaptability of the Vietnamese people have helped them establish a solid position in the local economy.
As Angola gradually improves its investment environment and encourages the private sector to drive growth, many new opportunities are opening up for foreign businesses. Priority investment sectors include agricultural production and food processing (to reduce reliance on imports), light industry, pharmaceuticals, logistics infrastructure, telecommunications, education and vocational training, financial services, and digital technology.
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| Vietnamese enterprises access the market and sign investment projects in Angola in March 2025. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Angola) |
The Angolan Government has simplified investment licensing procedures, granted tax exemptions for priority projects, and established special economic zones with a one-stop mechanism. I encourage Vietnamese enterprises, both large corporations and SMEs, to approach Angola as long-term strategic partners and collaboratively build sustainable value chains in Africa.
How do you perceive Vietnam’s development in recent years, especially its role and position on the international stage?
Vietnam has achieved remarkable socio-economic accomplishments, enhancing its role and position on the international stage. Despite a world facing complex fluctuations and unprecedented challenges, Vietnam has maintained stable economic growth, with an average GDP growth of over 6% from 2016 to 2024. Vietnam is among the top 40 largest economies globally and is a leading exporter of electronics, textiles, seafood, coffee, and rice.
Vietnam has also established itself as a key trade partner for many major economies. The country ranks among the top 20 exporters globally and has participated in several new-generation free trade agreements, such as CPTPP, EVFTA, and RCEP. These agreements not only expand external economic space but also demonstrate Vietnam’s deep integration and growing economic competitiveness.
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| Rice is one of Vietnam's key export items to Angola. (Source: VNA) |
In terms of foreign policy, Vietnam plays an active, responsible, and reliable role in the international community. Successfully serving as ASEAN Chair in 2020, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, and organizing many major international events has strengthened Vietnam’s reputation and influence. Vietnam’s independent, self-reliant, multilateral, and diversified foreign policy is highly appreciated by the international community and contributes positively to peace, stability, and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Vietnam has also established and strengthened strategic and comprehensive partnerships with many developed and developing countries. With a favourable geopolitical position and flexible foreign policy, Vietnam increasingly serves as an effective bridge between ASEAN and Africa, facilitating South-South cooperation.
I highly appreciate the strategic vision, resilience, and development aspirations of the Vietnamese people. I am confident that, with the solid foundations built over the years, Vietnam will continue to develop strongly and contribute increasingly to regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity.
Thank you very much, Ambassador!
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