Addis Ababa - Angola's ambassador to Ethiopia, Miguel Bembe, highlighted the process of operationalizing the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) as being of such importance for designing investment strategies in human resources.
The Angolan diplomat, who was speaking on Wednesday at the seminar on accelerating the implementation of the ACFTA, held at the headquarters of the African Union (AU), defended the elaboration and execution of regional and sub-regional projects that include port, airport and road infrastructure, customs, telecommunications, energy and water, to facilitate the movement of people and goods on the continent.
The Angolan ambassador added that, for effective economic integration, investment is required from Member States in the areas of good governance, democracy, consolidation of the rule of law, equitable distribution of resources, political inclusion and the fight against climate change.
He noted that although the African continent is faced with numerous political and security challenges, it nevertheless needs to make economic integration a reality.
In this context, he suggested that African countries should invest a considerable part of their budgets in agriculture, agro-industry and the construction of regional infrastructure, with the aim of benefiting the local population and reducing the unemployment rate.
Angola's representative at the AU stressed that strengthening the capabilities of States Members should facilitate the process of accelerating the implementation of the ACFTA and the commercial and economic integration of Africa, making South-South cooperation more effective, within the scope of the Organization of Caribbean and Pacific African States (OEACP).
The event, which was attended by the African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Mineral Resources, Albert Muchanga, and the Executive Secretary of the Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), Alain Aimé Nyamitwe, ambassadors and other diplomats accredited to the continental organization were present for two days. EH/AC/DOJ
