Luanda — The remittances by Portuguese workers based in Angola gave a significant strength to the Portuguese economy in 2012, Angop learned Wednesday in Luanda.

This was said by the visiting Portuguese Foreign minister, Paulo Portas, while speaking to journalists at the end of a meeting with his Angolan counterpart, Georges Chikoti.

According to the Portuguese minister, who would not add details, but quoted financial institutions, the figures of last year reached a remittance record.

To him, this means that, wherever they are, the Portuguese feel a bit the need to make their contribution to the country.

On he other hand, he said that "Portugal has a friendly foreign investment policy, as growth and creation of job is only made possible through investment and there is only investment

where there is trust."

Paulo Portas said as well that Angolan investments in his country are as much welcomed as Portuguese investments in Angola, adding that there are many industrial projects from his country that can generate jobs in the African country.

According to the visiting minister, there are about 8,000 Portuguese firms working in Angola, and Angolan investment in various sectors in Portugal.

He stated that Angolan exports to Portugal in the year 2012 grew 50 percent, while the latter's rose 32.

Meanwhile, Paulo Portas mentioned that during the meeting with his local counterpart, there was a "very fruitful conversation to prepare well the summit for the president of Angola and the Portuguese prime minister to take this important step to reinforce the relations between both."

He mentioned the need to define areas and the priorities, choose the technical teams and follow up and monitor the preparation of the works.