Luanda - The presence of foreign businesspeople in Angola shows that the door is open for Angola to strengthen its mechanisms for collaboration with all economic agents that want to take part in the country's economic diversification and development process, MPLA vice-president Luísa Damião said Friday in Luanda.
Speaking to the press during a guided tour of the Luanda International Trade Fair (FILDA 2024), which is taking place from the 23rd to the 28th of this month in the Special Economic Zone, the leader also added that the arrival of investors in the country is clear proof that they believe in leveraging the Angolan economy, an opportunity that should be taken advantage of in the best possible way, in order to move towards the country's socio-economic development.
‘We all have a responsibility to work with our eyes on the future, so that Angola continues to move towards development,’ he emphasised.
In relation to the observation made at FILDA, Luísa Damião was pleased with the variety of national products on display at the fair, which she considered a fundamental factor for Angola's economic growth.
She also emphasised the fact that the oil companies were presenting possible solutions for clean energy production at the expo, with the aim of supporting sustainable development, as well as their commitment to staff training.
She was also pleased to see that the business community is investing in knowledge, technology and innovation, with a view to fulfilling the principles of sustainable development.
With regard to cooperation between Angola and the United States of America (USA), the fourth day of FILDA being dedicated to this country, Luísa Damião emphasised that, during more than 30 years of bilateral relations, the USA has contributed to Angola's development, always thinking of the well-being of Angolan families.
She pointed to the investment being made by the US in the Lobito Corridor as one of the examples of the relationship between the two countries.
She also advocated the need to strengthen the Angola - US relationship in the training of staff, with an emphasis on young people, who are the country's main asset.
She also pointed to the ongoing work to reduce the country's unemployment rate as another priority for the Angolan government, with the support of private business.
The fourth day of FILDA is being dedicated to the USA, with a business forum bringing together investors from both countries.
Today's programme also includes topics such as ‘Economic zones: Implementing infrastructures to promote and diversify the economy towards sustainability’, ‘The role of tourism in Angola's economic development’ and ‘Challenges and opportunities for licensing commercial activity with the simplified process’.
FILDA, which has more than 1,350 exhibitors than in the previous edition, is the biggest showcase for national promotion, doing business and promoting jobs. The international nature of the event also has a fingerprint on the diversification of the economy.
The 39th edition of FILDA is being held under the slogan ‘Food safety and international partnership: the binomial of economic diversification’, in an area of 144,000 square metres, of which 42,000 are recreational exhibition areas.
Its organisation in the Special Economic Zone is a direct or indirect invitation to invest in Angola.
This year's fair will be attended by countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, the USA, South Korea and Turkey.
QCB/DAN/DOJ
