Angola’s President, José Eduardo dos Santos, stated on Thursday that an important new chapter has been opened in the country’s relations with China. He said it related to partnerships between Angolan and Chinese companies in the public and private sectors, Angolan news agency Angop reported.

Mr dos Santos was speaking in his capacity as head of Angola’s ruling party the MPLA. His comments came during a speech at the opening of the 3rd Extraordinary Session of the MPLA’s Central Committee.

According to Angop, Mr dos Santos added that such co-operation with China would allow Angola to produce locally some of the materials needed for public works due to take place under agreements previously signed with Chinese companies.

According to the news agency, Mr dos Santos added that a Government committee is currently completing executive plans for distribution of money for public investment projects. The money was obtained via a credit li.

He also stated – as quoted by Angop – that the country’s private investment law had been reviewed in order to decentralise the approval process for projects and enhance the ministers’ authority in their respective areas.

Portuguese news agency Lusa reported – quoting an official statement – that China’s new credit line to Angola would fund public projects starting this year, and that the African nation’s public debt will be kept within the legal framework.

The statement – sent to Lusa – was issued after an extraordinary joint meeting of two committees from the country’s Ministers’ Council. The aim of the meeting was to analyse what public projects should be covered by China’s credit line. The credit deal was signed during a visit of Mr Santos to China, last month.