A provincial official in Angola has called for more Chinese investment in the country’s agricultural sector to enhance food productivity, China’s state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

Felicino Mulova, Secretary-General of the Administration in Angola’s Huambo province, made the remarks in a recent meeting with a delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs in the African country. Liu Yiyong, who is also Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in China’s Zhejiang province, headed the delegation.

“We hope Chinese entrepreneurs will introduce quality seeds as well as modern farming and management skills in the province,” Mr Mulova said. Huambo is a major transport and agricultural hub in central Angola, the report added.

“Huambo would offer the best possible incentives to foreign investments in terms of land lease, taxation and preferential policies,” the official noted.

Angola has a population of 23 million and needs 4 million tonnes of grains each year to feed them, but its local production is only likely to amount to 1.5 million tonnes, Xinhua reported.

Mr Mulova acknowledged the shortage of skilled labour in Angola, urging the Chinese investors to set up an agricultural training centre in Huambo. He added the province also welcomed foreign investments in the manufacturing and health sectors.

Mr Liu responded to the invitation by saying that the Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce would bring Chinese agricultural experts to Angola help set up a training centre in Huambo.