Angolans 'training for trade'

It should become easier to
trade with Angola.
Key officials from the
country are to be trained on
trade policy and negotiations,
trade finance and logistics,
small business development,
trade facilitation and the
scoping of non-oil trade
opportunities
in a four-year
programme
supported by
the European
Union.
The training
is part of
a US$6.1
million
United
Nations
Conference
on Trade and
Development
(Unctad)
technical
assistance and training
programme.
“Trade is a core ingredient
of growth and jobs, and
falling oil prices mean oilrich
countries such as Angola
need support to diversify
away from oil,” commented
Unctad deputy secretarygeneral,
Joakim Reiter.
“The EU is actively
supporting Angola to tap
the significant potential of
trade for the sustainable
development of the
country. Training of the
key personnel is one key
element of this support,”
said Nils Behrndt, chef de
cabinet of Neven Mimica,
European commissioner for
International Cooperation
and
Development.
The 2030
Agenda for
Sustainable
Development
recognises
that
international
trade is an
important
mechanism
through
which many
of the specific
goals and
targets that
have been agreed can be
achieved.
According to World Bank
data, Angola’s oil exports
have accounted on average
for 97% of Angolan exports
over the past 10 years.
But, falling prices have
seen Angolan oil earnings
drop by 44.5% from
US$60.2 billion in 2014 to
US$33.4 billion in 2015.
CAPTION
Falling oil prices
mean oil-rich
countries such as
Angola need support
to diversify away
from oil.
– Joakim Reiter