Angola is a Southern African nation with the variation of tropical Atlantic beaches, rivers and Sub-Saharan desert that extends across the border into Namibia. It is the seventh-largest country in Africa, and is bordered by Namibia to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north and east, Zambia to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to west.
Luanda, the capital of Angola, is a port city on the west coast of Southern Africa. Luanda is the largest city in Angola, primary port and major industrial, cultural and urban centre. Luanda is both Angola’s chief seaport and its administrative centre.
Angola has been one of the fastest growing economies. The official language is Portuguese and the local currency is Angolan kwanza.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
Angola has a diverse climate which helps in the growth of both tropical and semi-tropical crops. The successful crops include coffee, bananas, timber, tobacco and sunflower. Agriculture is a source of employment and food supply and employs more than half of the working population.
Angola has a very long coastline which is considered one of the richest fishing grounds in Africa.
Electric power
Angola possesses enormous hydroelectric potential because of the large and powerful rivers.
Oil and Gas
Cabinda produces more than half of the country’s oil and hence contributes to large foreign exchange earnings. Some of the large companies operating in Angola ore : Chevron Texaco, Total FinaElf and Exxon Mobil. Angola’s main wealth comes from oil, which makes up 90% of its exports.
OPEC – In 2006, Angola joined the OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries), which oversees production of oil worldwide to keep prices from falling too low.
Mining
Angola has one of the largest and most diversified mining resources of Africa. Angola is the third largest producer of diamonds in Africa. Angola has also been a large producer of Iron Ore.
Manufacturing
The manufacturing sector employs a very large section of the population. Angola was into the production of sugar, wheat flour, cooking oil, textiles, soaps, paint, plastic and glues. Post independence, the heavy industry like cement and steel tube are contributing in this sector.
Tourism
The important tourist places are Luanda, Benguela and Huila. There are many Natural Parks with rare animal species.
Small & Medium Enterprises (SME)
The government and associated bodies have launched many initiatives over recent years to support entrepreneurs and the SME sector in the country. Angola’s sovereign wealth fund (FSDEA) has been establishing a social impact platform, called Kijinga, which will support start-ups and the expansion of new products and services in the outskirts of its cities.
India’s exports to Angola
Meat and Preparations, drugs, pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals, cotton yarn, fabrics, made ups, manmade yarn, transport equipment, spirits and beverages, machinery and equipment, poultry products, misc. processed items, finished leather, leather goods, cosmetics, toiletries, paper, wood products, residual chemicals and allied products, primary and semi finished iron and steel, cotton yarn, and other commodities.
Top Five Indian items exported to Angola
Top Five Angolan Export Items to India are
Indian Companies in Angola
Indians own a few small industrial units in Angola in the area of steel, plastics and tractor assembly. There are more who have set up trading companies in Angola. An Indian National has invested in a steel plant called “Best Angola Metal”. Mohan Exports (India) Private Limited has been making shoes and uniforms in Angola for the Angolan army under a contract for the last six years.
Angolan Trade and Industry organisations
