MFA Press Statement: Visit of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Second Minister for Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli to Angola, 1 to 3 June 2015

Meeting between Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Second Minister for Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli and Minister of Economy of the Republic of Angola Abrahao Pio dos Santos Gourgel. Photo credit: MFA

Meeting between Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Second Minister for Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli and Minister of Economy of the Republic of Angola Abrahao Pio dos Santos Gourgel. Photo credit: MFA

        Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Second Minister for Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli visited the Republic of Angola from 1 to 3 June 2015.  During his visit, Minister Masagos called on Minister of External Relations Georges Rebelo Pinto Chicoti.  The Ministers discussed strategies to enhance bilateral and economic relations between Singapore and Angola. They agreed to commence negotiations on a Bilateral Investment Treaty, Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement and an Air Services Agreement, as well as for Angola to favourably consider visa waiver arrangements for Singapore.  Minister Masagos was also hosted to a dinner by Minister Chicoti. 

        Minister Masagos separately met Minister of Transport Augusto da Silva Tomas, Minister of Industry Bernarda Goncalves Martins Henriques, Minister of Trade Rosa Escorio Pacavira de Matos, Minister of Economy Abrahao Pio dos Santos Gourgel, and Secretary of State for Housing and Urban Planning Nhanga Calunga de Assuncao.  Given Angola’s emphasis on diversifying its economy, the ministers discussed ways to expand cooperation in the aviation, port and urban planning sectors.  The Ministers agreed that there was potential for Singapore and Angola to strengthen bilateral cooperation.  Minister Masagos also welcomed Angolan ministers and officials to visit Singapore to learn from Singapore’s developmental experience as a city.   

        On 2 June 2015, Minister Masagos delivered the opening address at the Singapore-Angola Business Forum, organised by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and the Angolan Chamber of Commerce and Industry to promote business opportunities in both countries.  Representatives from 13 Singapore companies are visiting Angola on a SBF-led business mission.  Minister Masagos also met with Board Members of Sonangol, Angola’s state oil company, over dinner to explore further economic cooperation in the Oil and Gas industry.

        Minister Masagos departs for Mozambique today on the second leg of a visit to southern Africa. 

.     .    .    .    .

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

3 JUNE 2015