USG BRINGS IN EXPERTS TO ASSIST IN BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF ANGOLAN EXPERTS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND BUSINESS LEADERS

Dr. Rosenberg interacting with top level executives of local and foreign companies operating in Angola during a roundtable discussion at the U.S. Embassy.

After decades of civil war, Angola has embarked on reconstruction, economic recovery, and development.  Towards this end, among other forms of assistance, the USG brings in experts to assist in building the capacity of Angolan experts, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.  In this connection, the US Embassy in partnership with BP Angola, hosted from November 25^th- December 1^st, Barney Rosenberg, a highly respected U.S. business ethics practitioner, for a serious of lectures and roundtable discussions on the subject of business ethics in Luanda and the important provincial city of Bengueal.  In his engagements with a wide array of audiences, including business executives, judges and lawyers, law students and professors, and economic journalist, Mr. Rosenberg laid out and discussed the principles and legal and ethical framework that govern business conduct in today’s interdependent global economy. 

The US expert gave examples of best practices and interspersed his presentations with examples of past ethical infringements by several multinational companies, in the latter case, clearly pointing out not only the civil and criminal penalties but also the incalculable damage such breaches cause to business reputation and credibility.  He also convincingly argued that beyond one’s obligation to meet legal requirements, adoption and adherence to the highest legal and ethical standards is a smart business decision that will help attract international business, speed Angola’s integration into the global economy, and ensure economic growth with all its attendant benefits.  

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR AFRICAN AFFAIRS, JENDAYI E. FRAZER, ENDS A SUCCESSFUL OFFICIAL VISIT TO ANGOLA

U.S. EMBASSY PARTICIPATES IN THE AFRICA MALARIA DAY CELEBRATIONS HELD BY ANGOLAN AUTHORITIES IN THE NORTHERN PROVINCE OF MALANGE

Ambassador Efird offers a woman of Malange a mosquito net during the Africa Malaria Day ceremony.

On April 25,2007, U.S. Ambassador, Cynthia G. Efird and PMI partners accompanied a delegation led by the Angolan Minister of Health to the northeast province of Malange where the Government of Republic of Angola (GRP) officially celebrated Africa Malaria Day.  The all-day event included meetings with local officials; the inauguration of an anti-malaria project with mosquito net distribution, and spraying demonstrations performed by the village’s local staff.

In her speech to approximately 400 townspeople and one-hundred members of the international community, the Ambassador highlighted the PMI and noted the strides that the public-private partnership is making against malaria. 

The Ambassador’s message that ordinary Angolans must take an active role in preventing and treating malaria was underscored by the subsequent cultural performances which focused on the importance of mosquito net usage for pregnant woman and treatment for those who contract malaria.  

Embassy representatives also attended a Malaria Day event organized by Esso Angola and the Soyo Provincial Health Office, in Quimpondo village near the city of Soyo in the northern Zaire province.  The event served as a platform for malaria awareness and the distribution of treated mosquito nets primarily targeting pregnant women and families with young children.  The highlight of the event was an informative and entertaining theatrical play performed by a community-based group.  The well-received play, loaded with anti-malaria messages, brought forth how social ills such as alcohol abuse, violence against women, and lack of education all intertwine to weaken one’s ability to effectively combat malaria.(Read more)        

USAID AND CHEVRON PARTNER TO PROVIDE $5.5 MILLION FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCE PROGRAM IN BENGUELA PROVINCE

Governor of Benguela meets with Ambassador Efird, Vice-Minister Filomena Delgado.

On March 1, 2007 the Embassy’s Agricultural Development and Finance Program (ADFP) was officially launched by Ambassador Cynthia G. Efird in Benguela.  Present were, among others, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Maria Filomena Delgado and Governor of Benguela Dumilde Rangel.  Senior members of Chevron Corporation also attended the event.

ADFP is a five-year $5.5 million public-private partnership involving USAID and Chevron Corporation.  The project is implemented through the Cooperative League of the USA (CLUSA) and its sub-grantees ECI Africa (a South African Consulting firm), and Action for Rural Development and Environment, and AGROMARKET (a Huila-based development non-profit). ProAgro Angola will work closely with the Angolan Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Agrarian Development Institute (IDA), among other public and private stakeholders, to increase the growth of selected commodity value chains such as bananas, potatoes, vegetables and coffee and to create greater business opportunities and capabilities for all its clients. (Read more)

U.S. AND ANGOLA REINFORCE BILATERAL MIL-TO-MIL COOPERATION

General Ward (center) shaking hands with the Angolan Minister of Defense Kundy Pahiama (right) as Amb. Efird looks on.

Deputy Commander U.S. European Command, General William E. “Kip” Ward, visited Angola October 22-23 aimed at broadening and deepening existing U.S.-Angola Mil-to-Mil bilateral relations.  During the visit General Ward held meetings with Angolan Minister of Defense, Kundy Pahiama, Acting Speaker of Parliament, João Lourenço, and General Sanjar, who recently completed his term of office as Chief of Staff for the Angola Armed Forces.  The meetings laid the foundation for the envisioned stronger partnership between the United States and Angolan armed forces. 

In a press brief he gave to members of the Angolan media, General William Ward, explained his visit as geared towards “forging a positive personal relationship with Angolan counterparts and strengthening already existing positive Mil-to-Mil relations in combating global terrorism and proliferation of HIV/AIDs, promoting security organizations and protecting natural resources in the region.”  General Sanjar, on his part, stated the importance of the bilateral relations pointing out that they represent reciprocal interests based on the exchange of ideas about the situation in the Southern African region.

REVISIT THE US EMBASSY INAUGURATION OF ITS NEW BULDING IN LUANDA