NEWS

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Airports expansion and construction estimated at USD 274 million

LUANDA: Expansion and rehabilitation works at Luanda's International Airport “4 de Fevereiro” will cost approximately USD 74 million, according to the President of the Administration Council of the National Company for Airports and Air Navigation (ENANA), Jorge Correia de Melo. Civil engineering company Somague will be responsible for the works for a new passenger area and 28 check in counters and to increase passenger movement from the current 1 million to 3.600 million per year. The airport's parking apron was built in the 1960s and has an area of 13.600 thousand square meters.

CATUMBELA AND LUBANGO: Angolan Minister of Transportation, Augusto Tomás, announced the construction of two international airports, namely in Catumbela (Benguela province) and Lubango (Huila province). The projects, already approved by the Cabinet Council, comprise the construction of new terminals, parking aprons, expansion of the runaways and a public parking area. Angolan subsidiary of Odebrecht and the consortium Andrade Gutierrez/Zagop Construction and Engineering/HOMT Limited are tasked with the works

The airports are expected to be finished for the soccer African cup CAN-2010, to be held in Angola. ENANA is currently repairing thirty large, medium and small size airports countrywide.

 

Cunene province needs three and four star hotels

The Provincial Director for Industry, Commerce, Hospitality and Tourism of Cunene, Gabriel Hikimote invited businessmen to invest in hotel construction projects for his province The province, mostly visited by tourists coming from Namibia, has currently 187 “bed and breakfast”, guest houses and boarding houses, with capacity of 672 beds. According to Mr. Hikimote, the increasing demand in the sector and numbers of tourists visiting the region is an important factor for the establishment of more lodging facilities such as 3 and 4 star hotels.

 

USD 10 million invested in equipment for lumber producer in Benguela

Lumber producer “Madeira Brava” of Benguela province invested already USD 10 million in the recovery of its equipments which were destroyed during the Angolan war. The information was released by the company's director general, Raul Peixoto, during a visit of the Minister of Industry, Joaquim David, to the headquarters of Madeira Brava. The company, which employs 375, expanded its daily capacity production to 50 cubic meters and uses mainly raw materials from its forest farms in Kwanza province, addressed for local and international markets.

 

Malanje: 4 thousand hectares of sugar cane mark kick-off of BioCom project

Cultivation of approximately 4 thousand hectares of sugar cane will start in Malanje in January 2009, outlining the biofuel feedstock for BioCom, a joint venture formed by Angolan and Brazilian companies Oldebrecht, SONANGOL and Damers which will launch the ethanol and electricity production for domestic use in Angola. The BioCom plant, which will start full operation in 2012, is projected to produce yearly 250 million tonnes of sugar, 30 thousand cubic metres of ethanol and 160 thousand megawatts of electricity produced from recycling sugarcane bagasse. Cultivation areas, including crop rotation land, and the ethanol plant are expected to comprise. 30 thousand hectares. Damer and Odebrecht hold each 40 percent of the venture and SONANGOL 20 percent. The total investment is estimated at USD 200 million, from which USD 168 million are financed by the Angolan Foment Bank (BFA) and Bank Espírito Santo (BESA).

 

USD 87 million for relaunching industry in the province of Huambo

USD 87 million represents the amount invested by Angolan and foreign investors in 11 industrial projects for the rehabilitation of old and installation of new industries in the province of Huambo. According to the provincial Director for Industry, Geology and Mines, Manuel Chiqueque, the rehabilitation of brewery CUCA, the construction of a brick and roof tile factory and a factory for modular panels are amongst the major investments carried out in the province with respectively USD 42, USD 16 and USD 12 million. Remaining investment include the installation of three water bottling plants three bakeries and a sawmill workshop to be concluded by 2010, generating a total of 707 jobs. Huambo was formerly one of the major industrial parks of Angola.

 

Angolan industry registered record growth of USD 350 million in 2008

Private and foreign investments helped Angolan industry sector to reach a growth of estimated USD 350 million in 2008, against USD 200 million recorded in the previous year, as announced by the Ministry of Industry, Mr. Joaquim David, pointing out that the year reached figures never seen before and that a combination of positive factors brought many benefits for the country. Growth was also registered in the investments made by the country in the recovery of infra-structures of the transformation industry, improvement of the capacity of the banking sector and legal system, for guaranteeing the growth of private investments.

 

Trade between Angola and Italy reaches USD 380 million

A rise of approximately 45 percent was registered in the trade between Angola and Italy in 2008, compared with previous years, as released by the Italian Ambassador to Angola, Mr. Torquato Cardill. Angola imported from Italy foodstuff, clothing, furniture and machinery, while the Italian imports where mainly oil, marble and animal skin. Italian firm ENI also signet a 20 year contract with SONANGOL for off and onshore gas exploration and production in the province of Zaire. According to the Italian Ambassador there are 22 Italian companies currently investing in Angola. Italy ranks place 14 among European countries importing from Angola.

 

Investments increase capacity of Port of Cabinda

In the past four years direct investments helped to enhance the handling capacity of the Port of Cabinda to 288 thousand tonnes per annum. The unloading cargo area has been significantly enlarged, from 19 to 55 thousand square meters and a larger manoeuvring basin can receive ships of greater loading capacity. Production and revenues growth resulted also in improvements of labour standards for its 310 workers. The information was given by the port's Director-General, Mr. Lobo do Nascimento, during a consultative meeting of the Ministry of Transports. Angola has six commercial ports, namely Luanda, Lobito, Namibe, Cabinda, Soyo and Port Amboim.

 

Mining project to reactivate iron ore production in Huila

Angolan National Iron Ore Company „Ferrangol EP” and the Government of the Province of Huila are currently working on a project with a view to reactivate iron ore extraction in the mines of Jamba district. A feasibility study will be presented to the Government for approval and forecasts the creation of necessary conditions for resuming the mineral extraction industry in the area, which has been paralyzed 21 years earlier, focussing on the mines of Kassinga and Tchamutete. Preliminar studies pointed out the high quality of the mineral found in the area. Jamba has a population of 90 thousand and its main economic activities are iron ore extraction, livestock farming, artisanal fishing and agriculture.

 

Mobile telephony: investment of USD 40 million for network expansion in Southern Angola

Private mobile phone network operator UNITEL has already invested USD 40 million in the expansion of its third generation network (3G) for introducing additional mobile phone features such as video calls and broadband internet connectivity for subscribers in Southern Angola, covering the cities of Benguela, Lobito, Lubango, Huambo and Kuito. Thirty base-stations with towers ranging from 25 to 100 meters in height are located over 806 kilometres of road and already operating. Applications include voice services, text messaging and multimedia. The new infra-structure is expected to lower service costs for subscribers.

 

SONANGOL and American KBR sign agreement for provision of engineering services for Lobito Refinery

State Oil Company SONANGOL and the American company KBR, specialized in engineering and construction services for the oil sector have signed a two-year contract for the construction of support facilities, a harbour, a shipyard and access road to Lobito Refinery. KBR will be also in charge of the design for the refinery, as well as supervise the construction works. The American company has assisted Sonangol in the preparation of the project for some years.

 

Angolan Development Bank offers financial support for projects in agricultural production

The Development Bank of Angola (BDA), public institution in charge of development and investment of the Angola Government, will support investments in projects for the large scale production of rice and honey in the country, as informed to the press by the chairman of the board of directors of BDA, Paixão Franco. Businesspeople with well-structured projects are called to contact the institution for assessment of funding options.

 

Angola and Zambia projection for cooperation in railway sector

The Government of the Republic of Zambia is currently constructing a direct railway link to the Angolan Benguela railways, aimed at facilitating flow of commodities amongst both countries and several other points in the region, which will also benefit from the new system. The project was announced by the Zambian Minister of Transports, Dora Silvya during an interview with the Angolan Public Television. Zambia expects to establish a direct connection between Soluezi, Cazombo and Luena (Angola).

 

Roche Pharmaceuticals launches operations in Angola

The Swiss Roche company, the world leader in research-focused in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, formalized an agreement with the Angolan company CODISA for establishing operations in Angola. The company director in Portugal, Branca Barata, trusts that Roche Angola will contribute for a betterment of the population health, since the company not only produces medication but also offers services for training for health professionals and access to relevant scientific data. Roche has branches in over 150 countries and employs approximately 79 thousand worldwide. In 2007 sales totalled USD 30 billion. Roche is the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics, drugs for cancer, transplantation and virology. The company participates actively in research in other major therapeutic areas such as autoimmune diseases, inflammation, metabolism and central nervous system.

 

Angola and Vietnam to reinforce cooperation, focus on agriculture

During an audience with Government authorities, the outgoing Ambassador of Vietnam to Angola, Mr. Nguyen Dinh, stated that his country and Angola will continue cooperation in the sectors of education and engineering and extend collaboration to the areas of agriculture and fishery, as well as science and technology. Vietnam, one of the major rice producers of the world, intends to provide assistance to Angola in the exploration of its agriculture potential, hydro resources and arable farmlands.

 

Angola LNG Project: new implementation phase starts in Soyo

Conclusion of drainage of 100 hectares over the Zaire river marked the start of the last phase for conclusion of the onshore liquefaction plant located in Soyo, in the Zaire Province , over an area of approximately 240 hectars. An investment of USD 4 billion by project shareholders BP, Chevron, Exxon, Sonangol and Total, the project will deliver 5 million tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for industrial use, production scheduled to start in early 2010. The handover of the drained site, carried out by the Dutch company Boscalis, will take place during a ceremony attended by representatives of the Provincial Government of Zaire, the Angolan Oil Ministry and the project's shareholders.

 

First Science and Technology Park to boost scientific development in the country

A viability study for the creation of the first Science and Technology Park in Angola was presented in Luanda . The project, estimated at USD 117 million and which is co-sponsored by the Principality of Asturias, Spain , will be funded by the Angolan Government, agencies responsible for scientific research and the Angolan banking sector. To be built next to the future University Campus in the capital's district of Camama, the project is expected to generate 1.500 jobs.

 

Centre for educational training on civil construction opened in Viana

The Minister of Public Administration, Employment and Social Security, Mr. Pitra Neto, inaugurated in the district of Viana ( Luanda ) the first Professional Training Centre for Civil Construction. The institution, with capacity for 560 students, offers courses in refrigeration, driving skills for vehicle operators, maintenance of buildings, electronics, civil engineering electricity, industrial electricity among others, is aimed providing continuous professional training not only for youths, but also for workers of civil engineering companies. The centre is an autonomous public institution associated to the National Employment and Professional Training Institute (INEFOP).

 

Satellite telecommunication system INFRASAT inaugurated

President José Eduardo dos Santos inaugurated in Luanda the satellite telecommunication system INFRASAT. The system enables the transmission of data by voice, image and internet at high speed and offers the possibility for transmission of radio and television signals. It will enable mobile phone operators to increase their transmission capacity and expand coverage, and will serve to improve telecommunication services connection capacity, among other services such as packages with multiple national and international radio and television channels and an image monitoring system, with vigilance cameras, that can be installed at any place with a remote control. The project was implemented by the Inter-Ministerial Commission for the General Co-ordination of the Telecommunications Project through Multi-Sectoral Assistance Satellite, created by the Head of State, on 21 Jul 2006, and carried out by the "Cognito International" firm.

 

Project “Water for All” launched in Bengo Province

“Water for All”, a project approved in June 2007 and coordinated by the Ministries of Energy and Waters, Territory Administration, Health, Agriculture and Rural Development and the Secretariat of the Ministers Council was inaugurated in Bengo Province by the Angolan Head of State, Mr. José Eduardo dos Santos. The project, being carried out in Kabiri Commune, aims at covering 80% of the water supply needs for rural populations in the area.

 

New thermal station for Huila Province

The National Company of Electricity (ENE) concluded the works for the new thermal station in Lubango, capital of Huila Province. The station is equipped with 40 generators and a producing capacity of 30 megawatts and aimed at offering alternative electricity source to satisfy the energy demand in Huila and Namibe Province, which has being served by Matala's hidro-electric dam. The thermal station's medium and low voltage network is to be expanded for serving also the area surrounding the province's capital.

 

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