Viana - At least 200, 000 different household appliances per year are being assembled as of 20 Jan. at one of the IMEX Indústria group’s plants in the municipality of Icolo e Bengo, Luanda province
The factory was inaugurated this Friday by the minister of Industry and Commerce, Victor Fernandes, and is expected to assemble stoves, air conditioners and freezers under the Beko brand.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the minister said the move represents the creation of more jobs and the resilience that businesspeople have in the Angolan market.
The minister underlined the government role to secure the conditions for accessing to the market and doing business.
The official said the household appliances sector, in particular, relies on imports and the customs fees associated with products related to this consumption are low, adding that the plan is to increase production, for further, to review and provide guarantees that this production is mostly made in Angola.
The factory foresees to create 80 jobs, of which 78 nationals and two expatriates, in an US$25 million investment.
According to the company’s CEO, Ramzi El Houchaimi, the inauguration of this manufacturing unit is part of the brand's growth strategy, as well as expanding its ability to distribute efficiently and qualitatively nationwide.
He informed that 14 stores had been built in the country to sell the products, eight in Luanda, two in Cabinda and Huíla, while in Benguela and Huambo, one each.
This is the first assembly line for Beko household appliances in sub-Saharan Africa.
IMEX Indústria is an Angolan company founded in 2003.
