Luanda - Large Commercial Supermarket operators called Monday in Luanda for the need to have a regular "large scale" national production to boost locally produced products with "Made in Angola " lable increase consumption and reduce import levels.
The concerns were expressed during a meeting held under the guidance of the Secretary of State for the Economy, Ivan dos Santos, with food distribution chain (Group seven) having expressed worries about the capacity for regular production with commercial quality, taking into account the demand from the national market.
The managers said that mechanisms need to be found to allow national products to be delivered to the shops on time by the producers themselves.
They also point out that the cost of national production affects the final price, tipping the balance between buying "Made in Angola" or buying products from other countries at lower prices, having called on the Angolan government to take concrete measures, criteria and other incentives to achieve the objectives set.
Operators display national products
Despite the constraints, many commercial operators are already using the most varied "Made in Angola" products to stock their stores.
At the meeting, the entrepreneurs expressed their full support for the national production and the economy, as well as for reducing imports.
Joana Fonseca, representing Angoalissar (part of the Webcor Group), said that the group is investing in food and other national products.
However, she said regrets the delay in acquiring the "Made in Angola ", products taking into account that it brings several benefits.
Daniel dos Santos, Shoprite's purchasing director, said that the establishment already uses around 70 per cent of nationally produced foodstuffs.
"Previously, around 80 per cent of our food was imported. Today, the picture is different," said the manager, who is observing developments in the domestic market, as well as the presence of African investors in this segment in Angola.
The meeting was organised by the National Institute for Supporting Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (INAPEM), as part of the drive to stimulate the economy and access to the Made in Angola Service (SFA).
As part of this initiative, state-owned and budgeted units were instructed, as of January 2024 to buy products with the "Made in Angola "stamp.
The Made in Angola Service (SFA) is another instrument of the Executive coordinated by the Ministry of Economy and Planning and operated by INAPEM, with a view to complementing programmes to support national production. OPF/NE/AMP/NIC
