Luanda - The Special Economic Zone (ZEE) collected USD 4 million in the first quarter this year, representing an increase of 116% compared to the same period of the previous year, whose revenue was around two million dollars.
According to ZEE Executive Director, Adriano Borja, this indicator demonstrates the interest or willingness of entrepreneurs to invest in that industrial zone, in view of the competitive geographical advantages and infrastructure installed in the park.
Speaking at the ninth edition of the “CaféCIPRA, forum sponsored by
the Press Centre of the Presidency of the Republic of Angola (CIPRA), Borja said Tuesday that the light industry accounts for 62% of the overall production of the ZEE, followed by the trade sector, with 28%, while the services sector represents 10%.
As for employment, Adriano Borja stressed that the installation of companies in the industrial zone allowed the creation of 7,500 jobs, highlighting the existence of 81 operational companies, out of the 157 initially installed.
In his speech, he noted that the ZEE business portfolio registered a confirmed volume of 60 million Euros for the next quarter, a fact that will allow the creation of approximately 10,000 jobs until the end of this year.
Tasked with promoting national industry, the ZEE has two reserves equivalent to 7,000 hectares, most of which are still available to receive new investments.
On the other hand, the minister of Industry and Trade, Victor Fernandes, highlighted the potential of human capital, the political stability and the geographic location of Angola as opportunities that should be explored to boost the national industrial sector.
Meanwhile, the official appealed to the engagement of the business class and the civil society to join the programmes of the Angolan Executive that focuses, mainly, its action on investing in internal production to reach the country´s food self-sufficiency.
The 9th edition of “Café CIPRA” under the motto “The re-launch of the industry and the promotion of employability”.
The event gathers minister of Economy and Planning Mário Caetano João, and the Private Investment and Export Promotion Agency (AIPEX) CEO Lello Francisco, who presented the country's current economic framework and the volume of investments registered in the last years.
