In Angola 2007/2008 - (Page 13) The provincial government is aware of this sector’s importance as a source of wealth and job creation, so it is focused on providing the conditions and support needed to spur business investment in tourism. Huila is currently home to forty businesses operating in the hotel industry, over three hundred restaurants and coffee shops, and five travel agencies. Education With over 600,000 students and educators in the school system, Huila offers approximately 1,300 schools from levels I to IV, four vocational training centers, and a university campus with an economics and law department. There is also the Higher Institute of Education and eleven private schools. Finance and Banking The banking system currently consists of the state-owned Banco Nacional de Angola (BNA) and Banco de Poupança e Crédito (BPC) and, in the private sector, Banco de Comércio e Industria (BCI), Banco Fomento Angola (BFA), Banco Totta e Açores (BTA), Banco Africano de Investimento (BAI), Banco Espirito Santo Angola (BESA), and Banco Internacional de Crédito (BIC). Telecommunications The province has two urban telephone networks in Lubango and Matala. A project is currently under way to link the provinces of Namibe and Cunene through a fiber optic system. Substantial improvements in this area include the modernization of the access network, the enhancement of the satellite transmission system, and the installation of a fiber optic backbone between the provinces of Huila and Namibe. Capacity has increased from six thousand lines in 2003 to over eleven thousand lines currently. Water One of the government’s priorities is to respond to the growing demand for water for households and livestock in urban areas, on the outskirts, and in the countryside. Many projects have been initiated over the last three years in partnership with donor agencies such as the Dutch and Italian embassies, UNICEF, and both national and international NGOs. The projects include four municipal systems, six communal systems, and 150 rural water outlets. In addition, thirteen municipal energy, water, and sanitation brigades have been trained along with 640 water and sanitation groups. Energy The province has an energy transportation and distribution network supplied by a 40 MW hydro-electric power station, which is located in Matala and consists of three generators. Although still in need of improvements, the energy transport and distribution network has already undergone positive enhancements. Approximately 420,000 inhabitants now have a regular supply of power. The available capacity in the province has led to the development of social, economic, and service activities through small industries such as milling, carpentry, metalwork, bakeries, television, radio, and more. Geology and Mines Huila possesses a number of mineral resources, including iron, black granite, copper, gold, and various types of base metal. There is also evidence of diamonds. The province is a plentiful source of iron. The enormity of the task of rejuvenating the Jamba mines makes it a project best suited for a central authority, so it is currently in the hands of the Ministry of Geology and Mines. The cost of returning the mines to working order and upgrading the associated infrastructure has been set at USD 2 billion dollars. Huila also has great potential in granite extraction. Fifteen national and international companies are already working in this field. Given the monthly rise in mining figures, current production figures will soon be overtaken. Livestock Livestock is one of the region’s great riches and holds a fundamental social and cultural role for rural societies. The strategy for raising livestock began by concentrating animals in traditional grazing lands in the municipalities of Gambos, Quipungo, and Lubango. Two abattoirs in Lubango have been renovated: one industrial facility and one belonging to the Chela Group, which has been in Humpata for thirty years. The second largest abattoir in the country is in Lubango, and talks are under way to return it to service. Agriculture Provincial government policy for agriculture has opted for two complementary phases: production and industrialization. The first stage cleared irrigation channels, solving the problem of irregular rainfall in the region. The province produces primarily citrus fruit. Mango, apple, and pear production is becoming increasingly popular. It is also know for bananas, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, maize, soja, peanuts, wheat, and strawberries. The chief arable production is cereals, mainly corn. Corn is an extremely important crop as it is a staple for almost 70% of the population and is also used for agro-industrial purposes. Industry The development of this sector is closely linked to foodstuff and medium-sized manufacturing. It is highly dependent on the success of agriculture. The private industrial sector in the province has been growing over the past seven years. Huila has an abundance of water, which has enabled the growth of beverage-producing plants, such as beer, soft drinks, and mineral water. The past three years have seen a massive investment in food, drink (N’Gola Brewery and the Coca-Cola plant), tobacco, cigarettes, and clothing detergent (Emabol, a plant producing blocks of soap for washing clothes). For more information contact info@investinangola.org 13
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