MFA Press Statement: Visit by Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed to Angola, 29 March - 1 April 2008

Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed visited Angola from 29 March to 1 April 2008. He called on Angolan Prime Minister Fernando da Piedade Dias Dos Santos on 31 March 2008. During the meeting, Prime Minister Dos Santos briefed SMS Zainul on domestic developments in Angola as well as the huge infrastructure needs as a result of more than twenty years of internal conflict. Since April 2002, the Angolans have embarked on a 20-year development plan, focusing on tourism, education, health, fisheries, oil and gas, food, water and electricity supply. Prime Minister Dos Santos also briefed SMS Zainul on the various incentives for foreign investors and expressed optimism that Angola will sustain its double-digit growth rate.

SMS briefed Prime Minister Dos Santos about the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP), Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) and invited specific proposals for the SCE to consider. During the meeting, SMS also handed over President S R Nathan's letter conveying an invitation to the President of Angola, Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, to make a state visit to Singapore.

During the 4-day visit to Angola, SMS Zainul also met with Deputy Prime Minister Dr Aguinaldo Jaime, Minister of Oil Desiderio da Costa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Irene Neto, Deputy Minister of Industry Abrahao Gourgel, Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Rui Agusto Tito and prominent members of the business community. SMS also visited the Angolan Agency for National Investments (ANIP), the National Archives and the Museum of Slavery. He also made a 1-day visit to the province of Bengo, hosted by the governor Jorge Inocencio Dombolo, where the new international airport will be built.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
3 APRIL 2008