A blog from Penny Adegboyega , Marketing and Communications Assistant at UKTI London
After a nine hour flight, we finally made it in to Luanda in the early hours of Sunday morning greeted by humid air.
I am accompanying ten companies from London and the South East, to see what business opportunities await them here in Angola – a developing market brimming with exciting exporting prospects across all sectors.
The delegation come from a range of sectors varying from Architecture and Engineering to Healthcare and Professional Services. Each has something substantial to offer and could potentially benefit greatly from expanding in this overseas market, particularly as Angola is currently committed to rebuilding itself following a civil war lasting almost three decades.
On the drive from the airport to the hotel, it is clear to see the scars left from its past but on the other hand you can also see the efforts to redevelop and restore what was lost. Angola has been described as a “new country” and many aspects of the infrastructure need building from new, thus opening doors for British companies to showcase their expertise.
We kicked off the visit with a briefing detailing the logistics of doing business in the country hosted by the British Embassy. The session was led by Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Angola, John Dennis who gave a brief background on the country’s political history and promising economy. There were also guest speakers from PwC, Standard Bank and local law firm Gabinete Legal Angola (GLA).
This was followed with an ANIP presentation and networking lunch. ANIP is the Angolan National Private Investment Agency. For one to invest in the country they must undergo a sophisticated process through ANIP.
This is the second visit to the market in less than a year led by UKTI London International Trade Adviser, Jonathan Alms and it promises to be just as fulfilling as the last. Delegates will be provided with several openings to network and pitch their products and services to potential partners and distributors. They will also have the opportunity to meet David Heath, Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Angola as well as Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds.
Here’s are a few exporting tips I’ve picked up from the visit so far in Angola -
Top Tips for Doing Business in Angola
1. Prepare well by seeking legal and financial advice: The rules and regulations of doing business in Angola are quite clear, but due to the economic dislocation brought on by the war various legislative changes are being made to improve the country’s economic position.
2. Follow the correct path: Sometimes people assume that having connections can speed up the process of doing business and in some cases this is true. However in Angola it is quicker to go through the official process rather than finding shortcuts as this may cause problems later.
3. Learn to communicate in the native language: Portuguese is the official language and penetration of the English language is one of the lowest in the world, however some English is spoken in business circles.