Luanda - Angola and Argentina on Thursday in Buenos Aires evaluated the possibility of the ELEA Laboratory commercialising medicines in the Angolan market with the intention of later transporting the production chain to the national territory.

Headquartered in Buenos Aires, the ELEA Laboratory is an Argentine multinational that researches, develops and produces more than 60 million medicines for various specialities every year.

It is present in around 40 countries and employs 1,300 workers.

According to a press release to which ANGOP had access this Friday, as part of the process of attracting foreign direct investment carried out by the Angolan Executive, Angola's ambassador to Argentina, Azevedo Francisco, met with the management of the aforementioned laboratory, headed by its CEO, Gustavo Pellizzari, with a view to strengthening co-operation.

According to Azevedo Francisco, setting up one or more drug production units in Angola is a priority and a challenge for the Angolan authorities.

He added that once this objective has been achieved, the country will begin a gradual process of reducing imports of pharmaceuticals, saving foreign currency that will certainly be used for other purposes.

On the occasion, Gustavo Pellizzari expressed the interest of the company he runs in transferring the technology to Angolan soil because, according to the businessman, it would encourage the creation of more jobs and increase the supply of pharmacological products.

‘We are open and available to work with the Angolan government to realise this challenge,’ said Gustavo Pelizzari.

ELEA has existed for more than 80 years and works to develop products, medicines and treatments for all medical specialities. FMA/ART/DAN/DOJ