Lobito - Economist Henrique Pascoal argued, on Thursday, in Benguela, that Joe Biden's visit and the US interest in projects such as the Lobito Corridor reflect a strategy of greater presence in Africa.
Speaking to ANGOP, Henrique Pascoal highlighted infrastructures as one of the priorities.
"Biden's presence reinforces the American commitment to financing and supervising projects that promote stability and economic growth," he said.
For the economist, this could attract more investors and international partners, promoting greater confidence in the project.
"It is likely that his visit will bring greater dynamism and pressure for the implementation of pending projects", he considered.
He believes that the entry of American private capital can also be encouraged, in addition to greater multilateral engagement.
"Europe may also adopt a complementary approach to the USA, but involvement will depend on the ability of Angola and its partners to demonstrate economic viability", he suggested.
Along the same lines, the director of the Lusíada Higher Polytechnic Institute in Benguela, Ana Duarte, said that she agrees that the arrival of Joe Biden could influence the exploration of trade, the development of infrastructures and actions in the diplomatic field.
It boded that the new USA President-elected, Donald Trump, could pay equal attention to this and other projects underway in the country.
"President Trump is more concerned with his country's internal issues and has shown himself to be very protectionist," he stated, giving as an example issues linked to the environment, immigration and the application of high taxes on imported products.
However, he expressed the desire that the projects take the expected direction for the benefit of the country and the region.
Regarding the Lobito Corridor, he argued that large investments should also be made in passenger transport.
In this contract, he recalled, the Benguela Railway is responsible for transporting passengers and light loads, while Lobito Atlantic Railways (LAR) is responsible for heavy loads and infrastructure maintenance.
The teacher said that reality has shown that the priority is in the transport of heavy loads and that in the transport of passengers there are several difficulties", she stated.
In her opinion, Angolans use this transport out of necessity and not for tourism or leisure, hence there is a need for greater investment, as is being done elsewhere.
For her, it is necessary to think of a formula in which both services benefit the population in general.
The Lobito Corridor asserts itself as one of the main axes for the circulation of raw materials, products and merchandise, not only within the main countries that it crosses via the Benguela Railway (CFB), namely Angola, Zambia and DR Congo .
Also noteworthy is the connection it establishes with the world market through the Port of Lobito, which ensures a high percentage of the volume of international trade in the entire sub-region. TC/CRB/CF/DOJ
