Cacuaco – The minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, reiterated Friday, in Luanda, the call for national entrepreneurs to invest in this sector, in Angola, which offers several business opportunities taken advantage of, mainly by foreign investors.
Speaking at the end of the inspection visit to the facilities of the Operatec Maritime and Technological Innovation Academy, located in the urban district of Sequele, municipality of Cacuaco, the minister considered this company as an example of the materialization of national investment in the sector, demonstrating persistence, preparation and resilience.
He also pointed out this academy as a center of excellence and with the prospect of taking its knowledge and experiences to other countries. The minister acknowledged that this institution serves the oil and gas sector, as well as other areas of the national economy, by providing qualified technical training.
Thus, Diamantino Azevedo suggested that companies in the sector take advantage of the knowledge transmitted at this academy, although some are already benefiting, including international operators operating in the country.
He also mentioned that this centre could help reduce the number of trainees sent abroad, essentially serving as an opportunity for unemployed national technicians to obtain other qualifications and combine theory with practice.
In turn, the general director of Operatec, Alberto Figueiredo, considered the minister's visit as a way of encouraging the company's professionals.
He said that as part of its expansion strategy, the company intends to first consolidate its presence in the country and then conquer the Southern African Development Community (SADC) market, starting specifically in Namibia.
He added that a training centre has already been opened in Namibia, due to gas discoveries.
Alberto Figueiredo stressed that, despite being opened last September, the centre has already been operating for a year and receives approximately 60 trainees per month. Budgeted at US$12 million, with a physical execution of around 85 percent, the Maritime Academy and Technological Innovation offers courses in the Oil and Gas Industry and Maritime sector.
In addition to Luanda, Operatec has another Academy in the province of Cabinda. DJ/QCB/jmc
