Angola woos Zambian entrepreneurs
.. Country spends about $400 million on chicken meat import from South America.
AN Angolan envoy to Zambia Azevedo Francisco has challenged youth entrepreneurs in Zambia to tap into Angola’s chicken import business.
Mr Francisco said that currently, his country spends about $400 million on chicken meat import from South America.
Mr Francisco stated that, Angola’s chicken meat imports from Brazil averaged $400 million annually but wondered why Zambian entrepreneurs who were closer did not explore the opportunity.
"Apart from that, we also import a lot of meat, maize and pharmaceutical products mainly from Brazil and Europe," he said.
He was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on North- western province Minister, Nathaniel Mubukwanu, at the weekend.
He said time has come for the two countries to move from political bilateral agreements to practical investment opportunities to strengthen economies on both sides of the border. "Through cooperation on investment opportunities, the two countries can further solve the universal problem of youth unemployment by enabling young people to create their own jobs instead of waiting on government employment," he added.
Mr Francisco said that Angola had revised its laws on attracting foreign investment and set up IPEX, a special-purpose government agency that facilitates foreign investment interests.
In response, Mr Mubukwanu welcomed Angola’s invitation to Zambian entrepreneurs saying the provincial administrations would take advantage of the bilateral agreements.
He said that the provincial administration has started talks on regional collaboration with Angola’s Moxico province for investment opportunities.
"The province can provide Angola with cheaper and faster import alternatives especially agricultural products. And that is why we have talks with our counterparts in Moxico province," he said.