Benguela - The Angolan Private Investment and Export Promotion Agency (AIPEX) controls, in the province of Benguela, fifty-two projects valued at almost US$3billion, ANGOP learned on Thursday.
Among these companies, the highlight goes to the ones along Lobito Corridor such as Grupo Carrinho, salinas, Pescarias, among others.
Speaking to the press, after a meeting with the provincial deputy-governor of Benguela, the AIPEX's chair, Arlindo das Chagas Rangel, stated that, despite this number of projects, the agency is still not satisfied.
"We are at a stage where we have to satisfy internal production to guarantee food security", he said.
According to Arlindo Rangel, Angola has produced a lot, but it is still not enough.
"Only after we resolve our internal program will we do the reverse process, which is export", he explained.
Informed that the delegation he heads is in Benguela to improve the alignment that exists with the Provincial Government, both in terms of reducing bureaucracy and supporting investors.
In his opinion, the processes have been faster, in general, stating that there are no reasons for complaints in Benguela.
As an example, he said that the process for work and residence visas for investors took between 60 and 90 days. "Today, they will be ready within five days", he emphasized.
"We are being competitive with any other region, in terms of investment", he stated confidently.
When asked about the investments in the Lobito Corridor, he said that all the processes that have gone through the Agency have received due support.
"It's a transversal project, very important for the country and much talked about internationally", he considered.
He added that "Angola needs to have more international brands to be able to attract more investments."
Arlindo Rangel took the opportunity to give advice to local businesspeople, encouraging them to believe more in the country's institutions and the State.
"We are here to support because we need to generate more entrepreneurs and more jobs", he stated with conviction.
AIPEX is an entity with legal personality, administrative, financial and patrimonial autonomy,
It is aimed at promoting exports and attracting private investment.
Its portfolio also includes an investment proposals register, institutional support and monitoring of the execution of investment and internationalization projects for Angolan companies.
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