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The chairperson of the France-Angola Businessmen’s Club (CEFA), Hugo Teles, pointed out the need of the country to continue opening up to foreign investment, to strengthen the process of economic diversification.
Speaking on the sidelines of a ‘Beaujolais Nouveau’ cultural event, which aimed to promote a good business environment between Angola and France, he considered it necessary to produce food quickly so that the economy no longer depends on oil and diamond production.
CEFA shared on Tuesday in Luanda with the Angolan community a French tradition that marks the arrival of the ‘Beaujolais Nouveau’ era, with the participation of the French diplomatic representation in Angola, Sonangol and Total Energies.
‘There needs to be this exchange, this is the path, Angola has to open up to investment’, pointed out Hugo Teles, for whom opening doors to everyone makes it much easier to make the country grow.
Hugo Teles, who is also the president of the Executive Committee of Banco BIC, recalled that France, along with the oil and petrochemical industry, has a strong history in agriculture, livestock and the textile industry that can be put to good use for the diversification of the national economy.
He noted that, with the creation of CEFA, the conditions are in place for French companies to increasingly invest in Angola.
The objective is always to bring new “Know-How” and exchange from one side to the other”, he maintained.
He stated that the results of this partnership between French and Angolan businesspeople are already visible and satisfactory.
‘CEFA started with a dozen members and today it attracts a lot of people (national and foreign businesspeople), constituting a privileged space for networking (sharing information or services between people, companies or groups).
For you, CEFA’s work is similar to that of a Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Hugo Teles reported that there are many French companies operating in Angola with extensive experience, such as Total and beyond, because they all work to make the business flow and, at the same time, train people and grant scholarships and training. on-job for companies.
He emphasized that Sonangol, a founding member of CEFA, has been a constant partner over the years.
For his part, the president of the Board of Directors of Sonangol-EP, Sebastião Gaspar Martins, highlighted that the creation of CEFA is a way of promoting the national economy.
For him, with improved relations between French and Angolan businesspeople, business and the Angolan economy benefit.
‘The tendency is for CEFA to increase the number of its members, not only French companies, but Angolan companies have also been part of the Club and it is in this interaction that business is done with mutual benefits’, he expressed.
Sonangol’s PCA clarified, on the occasion, that the France-Angola Businessmen’s Club is not specifically dedicated to the oil and gas segment, but also covers a range of activities from agriculture, industry, service provision, beverages, among others.
He noted that the objective of the meeting is to create good interaction between people and make this exchange a good business opportunity for both parties.
For him, those who create solidity are the businesspeople from both countries who need to, little by little, show that the partnership is paying off.
The program of the France-Angola Businessmen’s Club includes, in addition to the tradition of “Beaujolais Nouveau” new French wine, meetings to promote Angolan gastronomy.
This year, the “Beaujolais Nouveau” celebration with Angolan businesspeople took place at the Paz Flor Cultural Center, in the Angolan capital, with the aim of improving interaction between the two communities to promote the best business environment between the two peoples.
Tradition of “Beaujolais Nouveau”
The tradition of “Beaujolais Nouveau” dates back to the 1950s, when the region decided to celebrate the end of the harvest with a young, fresh wine, which was bottled and sold quickly after harvest. The aim was to capture the vibrancy and flavor of the new wine and share it with the world.
The launch of “Beaujolais Nouveau” is an annual celebration that takes place on the third Thursday of November, marking the arrival of the new wine. The event is celebrated not only in the Beaujolais region (France), but throughout the world, with parties, events and tastings.
CEFA
The France-Angola Businessmen’s Club (CEFA) was created in September 2018 under the impetus of the ambassadors of Angola in France and France in Angola, following the official visit of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, to France in May 2018.
It works in collaboration with the French Embassy in Angola and the French Foreign Trade Counselors (CC) and aims to strengthen investment by French companies in Angola and vice versa.
It works in collaboration with the French Embassy in Angola and the French Foreign Trade Counselors (CCEF) and aims to strengthen investment by French companies in Angola and vice versa.
The Club advises and supports Angolan and French companies that are already established or intend to establish themselves in Angola and France.
It also supports the promotion of trade, financial investment and industry between Angola, France and the European Union (EU).
It has the support of the largest Angolan companies and a large number of French companies, as well as business associations, which have extensive experience in Angola, favoring a business environment of partnership between Angola and France for all members of the Club.
