A new and important phase of bilateral relations between Qatar and Angola has been ushered in with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Angolan President Joao Manuel Lourenco on Sunday witnessing the signing of a number of agreements and a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The Angolan president arrived in Doha on Saturday on a three-day official visit. His Highness the Amir and Lourenco witnessed the signing of a protocol on political consultations, an agreement on the abolition of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and special passports, and a maritime transport agreement.




His Highness the Amir and Angolan President witness signing agreements

They also witnessed the signing of a MoU for co-operation in the field of ports, and agreements on the promotion and protection of mutual investments; and on economic, commercial and technical co-operation, official Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.
A number of ministers and the members of the official delegation accompanying the president of Angola attended the signing ceremony.
Earlier Sunday, President Lourenco was accorded an official reception at the Amiri Diwan. Later His Highness the Amir held official talks with him. They discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them in various fields, especially in energy, investment, and air and maritime transport. Also, the two sides discussed several issues of common concern.
His Highness the Amir also hosted Sunday a luncheon banquet in honour of the Angola president and his accompanying delegation at the Amiri Diwani. A number of ministers attended the banquet.
As pointed out by QNA, the Angola president's visit is expected to outline the prospects for co-operation and economic partnerships that serve the interests of the two friendly countries and peoples in various fields.
Today, Angola is an African success story and an example of how a war-torn nation is rebuilding itself through peace. Angola has a thriving and promising economy in various sectors, with growing diplomatic relations at the regional and international levels, and is characterised by significant natural resources. It is the second-largest oil exporter and diamond exporter in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as huge mineral reserves and hydropower potential and vast areas of rich agricultural land.
Under the leadership of President Lourenco, who took office in September 2017, Angola began writing a new chapter in its history, implementing a series of structural political, economic and social reforms and providing economic incentives.
Angola is one of the world's fastest-growing economies, and in the past few years has registered an average annual GDP growth rate of more than 11%. The oil sector accounts for more than 50% of GDP, more than 90% of export earnings and 80% of government revenue, QNA added. 
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