In Angola 2007/2008 - (Page 12) Huila has great potential for investment in agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, and telecommunications, and is also known for its richness in granite. With a population close to 2.6 million, Huila covers an area of 79,022 km2, two-thirds of which is covered by hydrographic river basins (Cunene, Cubango, Curaco). This abundant water supply, in addition to the mild climate and fertile soil, provides a solid foundation for Huila’s rich agriculture. The 2005/2006 Huila agricultural campaign produced 40,000 tons of diversified cereal, along with 22,000 tons of maize, 12,000 tons of massambla (cereal), and 2,000 tons of massango (cereal). More than 32,000 fruit trees (orange, lemon, tangerine, and mango) were planted between January 2005 and Largest City and Population: Lubango, Huila: 1.4 million Industry Overview Road Transport The supply of transport in Huila has increased considerably, which means there is a greater capacity for transporting passengers and goods. Transportation between provinces is ensured by twenty-six buses - sixteen that run the Lubango/Santa Clara line and ten that cover the Lubango/Namibe route. Air Transport The province handles a range of air traffic connections, including regular stop-overs by nine airline operators and domestic flight connections from Lubango to Luanda, Huambo, Benguela, Namibe, Ondjiva, and Menongue. There is one weekly international connection from Huila to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. THE PROVINCE OF HUILA April 2006. From the 2006/2007 agricultural campaign, the local government and the Agro-Development Institute expect to collect more than 400,000 tons of a wide range of products. Huila’s capital city, Lubango, is the hub of the Moçâmedes Railway that is scheduled to be rehabilitated for an estimated USD 40 million.The project will begin in late 2007 and will replace obsolete material and equipment. The original railway stations of Moçâmedes were built between 1905 and 1923. Nossa Senhora do Monte, the most important annual event held in Huila, takes place throughout August. The event features activities including the citywide celebration of the Mass of the Assumption on August 15 and car racing during the last days of the event. Huila also hosts the Agricultural Fair in August, which welcomes exhibitors from the cattle breeding, agriculture, commerce, and industry sectors. Investment Industries: • Energy & Water Infrastructure • Extraction of Granite • Farming and Livestock • Telecommunications Rail Transport The Moçâmedes Railway links the provinces of Namibe and Kuando-Kubango and runs across Huila, providing a rail connection for the municipalities of Lubango, Quipungo, Matala, and Cuvango. A project is currently under way to update the Lubango/Namibe and Matala/Namibe branch lines for both passengers and goods. Renovation is taking place within two operational programs: one undertaken by China, focusing on track work and the provision of some equipment, and the other by India, focusing on supply of locomotives and rail transit material. The two programs are in progress and will begin operating by 2008. Tourism and Hotel Services Huila is one of the regions with the greatest tourist potential in Angola. Located in the high plains, Huila is only a two hour drive from the Atlantic Ocean. Among the tourist sites in Huila, the most sought after are those with special natural features, such as the Hungueria Falls, the Tundavala fault, the Serra da Leba, the Ondimba Grottos, and Bicuar National Park. 12
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.