Luanda: The head of the Indian business delegation, Rekha Sharma, on Thursday in Luanda recognized the economic potential of Angola in the cooperation between the two countries, focusing on strategic investment, growth, and sustainable development. In her speech during the four-day Angola-India Forum, she stated that relations between the two states have evolved from traditional cooperation to a strategic economic partnership based on mutual respect, cooperation, and a shared vision of inclusive development.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the recent state visit of Indian President Draupadi Murmu to Angola represented an important milestone, as it reinforced the political commitment between the nations at the highest level and boosted bilateral economic cooperation. Sharma noted that the agreements and memoranda signed during the visit, in areas such as capacity building, health, infrastructure, energy, and institutional cooperation, create a favorable environment for Indian and Angolan companies to establish partnerships with greater confidence and clarity.
The official highlighted that the Marketing Assistance and Research Support (MARS) organization believes in the transformative power of international collaboration, advocating for the creation of a business ecosystem capable of promoting innovation, growth, and lasting social benefits. According to Rekha Sharma, Angola has made significant progress in recent years with reforms and advances in key sectors namely energy, agriculture, infrastructure, mining, health, and manufacturing, factors that reinforce the country's attractiveness for foreign investment.
She explained that MARS has played a specialized role in promoting partnerships and investments between India and Africa, having led business delegations in several African countries, such as Benin, Togo, Tanzania, and Nigeria, as well as organizing investment forums in various Indian cities. The official added that the Angola-India Forum represents the continuation of this work, with the objective of boosting trade, investment, and long-term cooperation, based on the principles of transparency, integrity, and mutual benefit.
Rekha Sharma encouraged participants to take advantage of the meeting to exchange ideas, explore opportunities, and consolidate resilient, inclusive, and future-oriented partnerships capable of strengthening economic ties between the two countries. The official also attributed the role of governments, institutions, and the Indian diaspora in consolidating bilateral cooperation, expressing confidence in the construction of a dynamic business ecosystem that contributes to the growth of both countries' economies.