NEWS

____________________________________________________

 

Angolan Government approves civil aviation law

The Government of Angola approved a new civil aviation law, which regulates the sector's activities in national and international air space under Angolan jurisdiction. The law, approved by the Council of Ministers, aims to incorporate standards and practices recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Operational support procedures are being corrected to be more in line with the demands of the European Union Safety Committee.

 

Construction of 16 bridges secures inter-provincial connections

Since 2003, Angola 's National Bridges Company (ENP) has built a total of 16 bridges of metal and concrete, seeking to improve access to districts and communes in ten of the country's provinces:

•  The 36.4 meter long bridge over the Lifune River on Caxito/Cabo road located in Bengo Province, was built in 90 days, and is estimated at USD 714,636.

•  In Bengula, it took ENP 45 days to build a hydraulic engineering system over the Cavaco River, on the Benguela/Lobito River. The project was estimated at USD 149,091.

•  The bridge over Mucuio River , estimated at USD 38,734, was built over a period of three months by 16 workers. The bridge over the Calilongue River cost USD 62,023 and involved 20 workers.

•  A bridge was built over the Capunda River in four months, costing USD 231,000, while the bridge over the Chem-Chem River took three months to complete.

•  In 2003, Lunda Sul Province received a bridge on the Cuilo River, on the Kakolo/Saurimo road, which took approximately three months to build.

•  The Kwanza Norte Province received a bridge over the Kiringo River, on the Dondo/Ndalatando stretch of road. The project was completed in November 2004, within a two month period, and was estimated at USD 173,243.

•  Kwanza Sul was given two hydraulic systems: one over Cambongo River, in Sumbe city, that cost USD 562,807 and the other over Quiteta River, on Luanda/Porto Amboím road, estimated to have cost USD 217,171.

•  The bridge over the Lucala River , in the Malanje district, cost USD 435,848, and was completed in 2004, with the help of 20 workers.

•  The Luena/Sacassange road, in eastern Moxico Province, received services from ENP estimated at USD 43,768, with ground leveling operations that took three months.

•  A hydraulic system over the Buania River was built on the Uíge/Negage stretch. The project cost approximately USD 249,514, and was built in a three month period with the help of 25 workers.

•  Bridges were also built over the Mpozo River costing USD 368,495. The Luanica Bridge cost USD 398,606.

 

Oil discovered in onshore Cabinda field five times greater than predictec

The Massambala-1 oil field has a total reserve of 170 million barrels of oil, which is five times the initial forecast of 33 million barrels. The oil is heavy, viscous crude rather than the light petroleum usually found in Angola and Western Africa . The oil field is maintained by Operator Roc Oil, which hol ds 60% of the block, Sonangol at 20% and Force Petroleum at 20%. Exploration of onshore Cabinda requires investments of USD 54 million. The Cabinda region accounts for over half of Angolan oil production.

 

Bridge Estimated at Approximately USD 29 Million

In the southern Cunene Province , a bridge will be built over the Cunene River . It will be 880 meters long and 11.64 meters wide, and is estimated to cost approximately USD 29 million. The bridge will have the capacity to hold 100 tons and consist of two 4-meter lanes on each side and a sidewalk of a ½-meter for pedestrians. The project is being managed by the Chinese company, China Road and Bridge Corporation, and is expected to be complete in July 2008. The bridge will facilitate road connection of Cunene province with other parts of the country.

 

New ceramics factory to produce 50,000 bricks daily

Over USD one million is being spent on the construction of a ceramics factory, at Kunje locality, in the central Bié province. The factory will have a production capacity estimated at 50,000 bricks per day, and will be able to produce approximately one million roof-tiles per month, which will contribute greatly to Bié Province. The new factory will create 50 direct and 200 indirect jobs

 

Seafood/Meat Production Plant Opens in Namibe

A factory for processing and preserving seafood, as well as ham and other meat procudts, will soon begin operations in the city of Namibe. Within the next two years, the Chinese group Yanming will invest over USD 15 million in the project, which includes the rehabilitation of existing facilities. Known as Yanming Angola S.A., the plant boasts modern, automated equipment and produces world-quality products, with strict microbial controls. The plant has been operating experimentally since August 2007, producing approximately five metric tons per day, with full capacity for over ten metric tons per day. Once the plant is fully running, output will increase in response to local demand (ham, sausage and other preserved meats). Plants are to begin exporting in the future.

 

Higher institute expansion estimated at USD 751 thousand

The government of the Lunda Sul Province invested approximately USD 751,000 for the expansion of the Higher School of Science and Technology, in Saurimo city. The institute has been open since 2005, and is a result of a partnership between the government and the Catoca mining project. Currently there are 200 students enrolled in the institution, with 48 of which are new students. The expansion involves the construction of additional classrooms and laboratories for those studying Civil Engineering; Mineral and Environmental Engineering; and Metallurgy and Electro-mechanics. An administrative section, with a director's office and four internal and external toilets for men and women, will also be part of the project. The project includes the rehabilitation of electrical systems, channelling of water, and paving of tiles. The project is being managed by the Angolan construction firm Umba Construções.

 

Huambo: USD 158 million for rehabilitation of Gove dam

The contract for rehabilitation of the Gove dam in Huambo province, comprising the building of a hydro-electrical central, installation of a sub-station and setting up of power transporting lines was approved by the Angolan Government. The investment, in the amount of USD 158 million will allow the regularization of water supply for the the regions Xangongo-Ondjiva and Santa Clara-Namibe and energy supply for the provinces Huambo and Bie and for the irrigated perimeters along Cunene river. The project, set to be implemented within 30 months, will employ 600 workers.

 

Growth of non-oil sector surpasses oil sector in 2006

Economic growth figures for 2006 showed a greater participation of the non-oil sector in the Gross Domestic Product (PIB) of Angola , which has grown by 25,7 percent against 13,1 percent achieved in the oil sector. The manufacturing sector recorded the largest figures, with 44,7 percent, mainly concentrated in the beverage industry (36 percent).

 

FAO supports project for staff training and plant cultivation

The Angolan Ministry of Agriculture signed an accord with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for the development of a 20 month project for training of agricultural staff and boosting flowers production in the country. The project foresees the application of biotechnology for characterization and use of various local plants and seeds.

 

Government approves rehabilitation of Cambambe Dam

The Cabinet Council approved the project for rehabilitation and modernization of Cambambe Dam, considered of strategic importance for the country's northern areas. Upon conclusion of rehabilitation works an increase of electricity production of approximately 560GWH/yearly is expected. Cambambe supplies energy for the Angolan capital and irrigation water for the Kwanza valley.

 

Angola-Argentina: increment of commercial relations in 2006

According to the Argentinean Ambassador to Angola , Eduardo Sguiglia, commercial relations between his country and Angola experienced a strong increase in 2005 and 2006, achieving a growth rate of 50%. The Argentina-Angola joint commission, created in 2006, identified six areas for cooperation, namely in the fields of health, research and technology, customs, demining, agriculture and infra-structures. Up to this date, Argentinean investments in Angola amount to USD 10 million. A multisectorial business mission from Argentina is scheduled to take place in June 2007.

 

Angolan airlines launch new route to Lissabon

Upon an accord signed with São Tomé's airlines STP Airways, Angolan TAAG first connection flight for the route Luanda/Tome/Lissabon was inaugurated. The route operates Mondays and Fridays and is expected to boost tourism. TAAG`s international routes includes Kinshasa, Harare, Windhoek, Pointe Noire, Brazzaville, Lusaka, Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro, Lisbon and Paris.

 

Cunene: second largest slaughterhouse in Southern Africa resumes operation

The "Peccus" Abattoir, located in Kahama district, 200 km western of Ondjiva city ( Cunene province) is resuming its operation this month. Acquisition of cattle from breeders, recovery of water capitation system and the electric re-installation in different sectors of factory are amongst the activities in progress. By September 2007 the company shall boost its production by 1, 100 tons of meet per month, aiming to reduce imports of meet in the country. The "Peccus" abattoir, the second major in southern African region, was inaugurated in November 1996 and has been inactive since September 2005.

 

Agro-Planalto project launched

The provincial government of Huambo launched in the experimental field of Alto Hama commune Londuimbali municipality a new agricultural project called "Agro-planalto". The project foresees the preparation of 2000 hectares of land belonging to rural families and local farmers for the cultivation of several products, specially beans, peas and peanuts, as well as the technical follow up of the cultivated products, assistance in the harvest and sale of the whole production.

 

Benguela: thermal station to boost industrial development

The installation of the Quileva thermal station, with a capacity estimated at about 83 megawatts, is expected to boost industrial growth in the region. The station will supply electricity to the main cities of central Benguela, Bie and Huambo provinces.

 

Huambo: breeding farm for pigs and poultry being constructed

Local government is building in the municipality of Caála in the municipality of Caála , located 23 km east of Huambo city, a breeding farm for pigs and poultry. The construction works, amounting to USD 265 thousand, shall be concluded in five months. Presently, two sheds that will accommodate layer coops, fattening crates and feeding coops, animal drinkers and a store room. The project aims to incentive breeding of small and medium livestock farming in the region.

 

Portuguese group to sell Chinese cars in Angola

The Portuguese group Hipogest signed a contract with the Chinese car manufacturer BYD as exclusive importer for Portugal and Angola. Widespread commercialization of the automobiles in both countries will start in 2008 through 30 concessionaires. According to Hipogest, BYD Auto plans to launch six new lines of medium-sized electric and hybrid automobiles.

 

New cement factory in Benguela

Cement company Secil Lobito awaits the authorization of the Cabinet Council to start the construction of a new cement factory in Benguela, which shall produce over 600,000 tonnes yearly. Currently the company imports cement from Portugal in order to overcome its production deficit due to the highly demanding reconstruction programme underway in the Angola. Secil Lobito has presently 300 employees.

 

Chevron Angola launches construction of new headquarters

Chevron Cabinda Gulf Oil Company (CABGOC) announced the investment of USD 70 million for the construction of its new headquarters in Chicala Zone, Ingombota district of Luanda. According to the company, larger headquarters are needed due to the increase of operations in Angola and subsequently increase in the recruiting of local employees. The foundation stone ceremony was attended by representatives of the Oil Ministry and the National Oil Company SONANGOL.

 

Green light for the construction of roads and bridges in several provinces

In its last session, the Cabinet Council approved following undertakings:

•  Luanda-Viana expressway: a 26 km long route that will permit a speedier connection between the two localities and secure a southeast way-out for Angola's capital city, Luanda. Construction works are scheduled to take 18 months and will be carried out by the Portuguese firms Mota-Engil/Soares da Costa/Monte Adriano, SA, and Bento Pedroso Construções, SA/Teixeira Duarte, SA, which have signed contracts with Angola's National Road Institute (INEA).

•  Bridge over the Catumbela River, in central Benguela province: construction works will take 18 months, under Mota-Engil/Soares da Costa consortium.

•  Two roads in Cabinda province (Cabassango/Pove and Pove Lucala Zenze) over an extension of 36 kilometres: construction has been assigned to INEA and the firm Multiples Espírito Santo Services Lmited. The roads shall improve the flow of people and goods and provide jobs in the region.

•  Bridge over Kwanza river, with 350 metres of length, connecting the localities of Cabala and Muxima, in northern Bengo province. Works will take 15 months, under the firm Teixeira Duarte, Engenharia and Construções, S.A.

 

National steel company invests USD 10 million for improvement of facilites

The National Steel Company “SASL – Siderurgia Nacional” spent approximately USD 10 million for improving production and installing two melting furnaces with a capacity for four tons civil construction steel. In 2006 the company assembled also one of the melting furnaces and the system to produce 10,12 and 16 millimetres flat bars. Work was completed in December last year and the machines started working early in January this year. The company expects to start production flat bars from scrap iron materials in 2007.

 

1 / 2 / 3

Back